More at dailyxtra.com facebook.com/dailyxtra @dailyxtra #758 NOV 14–27, 2013 TORONTO’S GAY &LESBIAN NEWS OUT Russia may notknow it, but theOlympics have always beenmore thanalittle gay THE

AT AT FREE CIRCULATION 36,000 AUDITED GAMES

E  12 Xtra Living GAY & LESBIAN LESBIAN GAY & THE BESTOF TORONTO

INSIDE!

DEC 2013–MAY 2014 gets Spruced up Cabbagetown TORONTO GAYLESBIAN & THE BEST OF Roncesvalles renaissance King Street NEWS GAYLESBIAN & TORONTO’S for winter treasures at MEC Suit up On November 25, 2013 Vote for Chrystia Freeland and Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Team

Authorized by the Official Agent for Chrystia Freeland

PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

2 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS JOIN US ON 465-467 Church Street Toronto 416-972-0887 ‘MO’ DADDY! woodystoronto.com

FRIDAY THURSDAYS NOV 15TH MEN’S CHEST CONTEST 10PM

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS MEN’S ASS CONTEST

WOODY’S GOT TALENT CONTEST WEDNESDAYS 10PM $100 WEEKLY PRIZE $1000 FINALE GRAND PRIZE HOSTED BY: NOV 13TH TYNOMI BANKS NOV 20TH SCARLETT BOBO NOV 27TH MISS CONCEPTION

SATURDAY NOV 23RD BOWLING LEAGUE HOLIDAY EVENT FOOD DRIVE AND SHOW

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 3 XTRA Published by Pink Triangle Press SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brandon Matheson 333 SHERBOURNE STREET TORONTO, ON M5A 2S5 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING MANAGING EDITOR Danny Glenwright ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling ‹>>>:/,9)6<95,65*( ARTS EDITOR Phil Villeneuve NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jeffrey Hoffman COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Derrick Branco NEWS REPORTER Andrea Houston RETAIL ACCOUNTS MANAGERS EVENT LISTINGS: [email protected] Brian Garrison, Phil Clowater CLIENT SERVICES & ADVERTISING 3.BT HEA3TH CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial ADMINISTRATOR Eugene Coon content: [email protected], ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION RAINBOW HEALTH ONTARIO 2014 CONFERENCE: [email protected] COORDINATOR Gary Major EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE DISPLAY ADVERTISING: [email protected] CREATING CHANGE TOGETHER – REGISTRATION OPEN! Antonio Bavaro, Drasko Bogdanovic, 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA Kyle Burton, Rolyn Chambers, Adam Coish, LINE CLASSIFIEDS: classifi[email protected] The biennial RHO conference is the only conference Paul Dotey, Chris Dupuis, Tony Fong, in Canada on the health and wellness of our diverse Michael Harris, Matthew Hays, Ryan G SPONSORSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Hinds, Andrew Jacome, Serafin LaRiviere, Erica Bestwick, [email protected] lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) communities. JP Larocque, Justin Ling, Michael Lyons, Natascia Lypny, Ruby Pratka, Rob Salerno, The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean The 2014 conference will take place at the Hilton Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Willard, Eric Williams that Xtra endorses the advertiser. Printed and Toronto from February 5-7. Pre-conference full-day ART & PRODUCTION published in Canada. ©2013 Pink Triangle learning institutes on February 4. Early bird registration CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace Press. Xtra is published every two weeks by GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, Pink Triangle Press. ISSN 0829-3384 runs until December 31, 2013. Bryce Stuart, Landon Whittaker For registration and the full program, visit www.rainbowhealthontarion.ca/conference. Address: 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3 Office hours: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday Phone: 416-925-6665 Fax: 416-925-6674 WANT TO KEEP UP WITH THE Website: dailyxtra.com General email: [email protected] LGBTQ Parenting PARENTING NETWORK? @LGBTQPN SUBSCRIPTIONS Network $77.81 for one year (26 issues); $69 (US) in the United States; $125 (US) overseas. WWW.LGBTQPARENTINGCONNECTION.CA [email protected] | 800-268-XTRA

PINK TRIANGLE PRESS :\WWVY[PUN6\Y@V\[O:6@ZLLRZ[VPTWYV]L[OLX\HSP[`VMSPMLMVY3.);`V\[O\W[V  Founded 1971 [OYV\NO[OLHJ[P]LPU]VS]LTLU[VMHK\S[Z^VYRPUN[VNL[OLY^P[O`V\[O>VYRPUN^P[OPU DIRECTORS Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, HUHU[PVWWYLZZPVUMYHTL^VYR:6@KL]LSVWZPUP[PH[P]LZ[OH[I\PSKZRPSSZHUKJHWHJP[PLZ Glenn Kauth, Didier Pomerleau, Ken Popert, Gillian Rodgerson HONORARY DIRECTOR Colin Brownlee WYV]PKLTLU[VYPUNHUKZ\WWVY[HUKU\Y[\YLHZLUZLVMPKLU[P[`HUKILSVUNPUN PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ken Popert CEO, DIGITAL MEDIA David Walberg  ‹ >>>:6@;6965;669. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Andrew Chang SUPPORT SOY! FLUID: Hey Spectrum Family! Please help spread the word about the 2013 fall edition of SOY Fluid! ¥ We are halfway through the season, but there’s still space for participants! If you identify as bisexual, WHUZL_\HSVTUPZL_\HSX\LLY[^VZWPYP[X\LZ[PVUPUN"PM`V\YZL_\HSPKLU[P[`KVLZU»[Ä[ULH[S`PU[V categories; and you are seeking an intentional space to meet folks, talk and create together, then this Make One Small Monthly group is for you! Food & tokens provided. For information contact [email protected] or join us at Payment For All Your Debts! SOY on Tuesdays, 7-9pm, until the end of November!

MONDAY NIGHT DROP-IN: BUTTON MAKING – NOVEMBER 18 ¸ (^LLRS`WYVNYHT^OLYLX\LLYHUK[YHUZ`V\[O\UKLY JHUÄUKHUPUJS\ZP]LJVTT\UP[`ZOHYLH WE CAN home-cooked meal, socialize and more. Join us Nov. 18 and make your own buttons! Stop Collection Calls The Drop-In runs every Monday, 5:30pm-8:00pm. Reduce your Debts *VU[HJ[1VOUH[QJHɈLY`'ZOLYIV\YULVUJHVY_  Stop Wage Garnishment ALPHABET SOUP: QUEER MUSIC VIDEOS ON TRIAL – NOVEMBER 19 Stop Interest Right Away Alphabet Soup is a weekly group for queer and trans teens who are 14-19 years old. Come make Re-Establish your Credit friends, explore coming out, and learn about queer and trans communities around Toronto. Join us for “Queer Music Videos on Trial” on Nov. 19 and be part of a discussion exploring music videos by Visit: queer and trans artists. (SWOHIL[:V\WY\UZL]LY`;\LZKH`WT GtaCredit.Com *VU[HJ[1VOUH[QJHɈLY`'ZOLYIV\YULVUJHVY_ 

Supporting Our @soy_toronto ¸ North York Scarborough Ajax / Oshawa WANT TO KEEP UP WITH SOY? Youth (416) 650-1100 (416) 754-0011 (905) 426-8400

credit Mississauga Brampton Downtown (905) 275-4200 (905) 796-3100 (416) 489-2000 communityone FOUNDATION Contact us for a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL meeting with one of our Govt. Registered Counsellor

4 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS TORONTO’S ABRAMIAN ASSOCIATES GAY & LESBIAN NEWS BARRISTERS SOLICITORS Roundup #758 NOV 14–27, 2013 Successfully practicing law for over 15 years family law r marriage contracts r co-habitation agreements r separation agreements r divorce r property division r custody r access r spousal/child support r wills/estates t civil litigation

ANGIE ARANDA ")( żɠƘŹŰŵƙɠŹűŸƐűűŸŰɠƀɠ2żɠƘŹŰŵƙɠŹűŸƐűűŸŴɠ & 2(,ƞ,'#(&1ź)'ɠƀɠűųűɠ,#!".ɠ., .Żɠ#"')(ɠ#&&Żɠ ŴɠŴ
ų

Ŕ

ARTS SAYE IT OUT LOUD Poet, spoken- word and rap artist Saye Sky wins inaugural Telus Award E22

Editorial History Boys Montreal snow job In praise of the parklets From bed-hopping to The city famous for its hot By Danny Glenwright E6 mountain-climbing with summer nightlife also provides Feedback E6 Anne Lister a brilliant winter escape E34 By Jeremy Willard E19 Xcetera E7 Classifi eds E36 Xtra Living E37 Out in the City Xtra Hot Upfront By Drasko Bogdanovic E37 Arts roundup Parklets may not return Uncovering Thom Allison E21 to Church Street next year Many residents enjoy the Toronto at Night public space, but some Village Curing the November blues business owners are unhappy By Ryan G Hinds E25 online at with the project E9 Homo heritage minutes dailyxtra.com Local news Etobicoke man The Gay Heritage Project makes arrested in Chris Skinner a complex history personal E26 E Toronto kink murder E10 What’s On E28 community honoured Cover story Club Scene E29 in international From ancient Greece to Deep Dish competitions Sochi A gay history of the By Rolyn Chambers E30 Olympic Games E12 E A new Montreal exhibit celebrates the National news Quebec group launches Sochi poster Daily Xtra Travel rise of designer Rad campaign E14 Hourani Edible Key West Online activism in North Exploring the Conch Republic E Confessed murderer Africa Moroccan gays and one bite at a time E32 of Halifax-area gay men lesbians hope their growing says he was ridding city cyber movement is the fi rst COVER ILLUSTRATION of “demons” step to wider acceptance E16 BY PAUL DOTEY

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 5 email [email protected] comment dailyxtra.com & facebook/dailyxtra.com Comment tweet @dailyxtra In praise of the parklets FEEDBACK Priape closure furniture for Church Street busi- “Meh, whatever,” noted one Face- you,” Wong-Tam told the BIA’s AGM. EDITORIAL When you think that every other gay man nesses to increase sales. book commenter. “Let Montreal Wong-Tam also first pitched the DANNY uses poppers and the number of poppers GLENWRIGHT It’s a shame for establishments be the innovative city. It closes the mural project, which looks to be one bought over the year, the cost is significant, like Smith, Byzantium and Statlers, entire length of Sainte-Catherine in beautification initiative that will ac- but I still find it hard to imagine that pop- The Church Wellesley which managed to incorporate the the village from May to September tually last until WorldPride. pers could bring down such an enterprise Village BIA’s vacillation over the parklets in a way that added new life and it’s a huge hit.” The BIA should reconsider and as Priape [“Priape Closes Its Stores,” Xtra “parklet” project is further proof to the street and, I would imagine, He’s right. Montreal’s open-air look for ways to expand the project #757, Oct 31]. It sounds like the company that the businesses and stakeholders brought in some extra cash. Even Village project, Aires Libre, which and make it work, teaming with had credit problems long before Health in Toronto’s gaybourhood remain though the patios went up late in the sees a summer-long 1.2 kilometre those business owners prepared to Canada banned the sale of poppers. I hope obsessed with maintaining the sta- summer, management at all three street closure, has been a huge boon think outside the box. Why not join that the employees of Priape were given tus quo. spots evidently recognized the pos- for business owners there. Denis with Pride Toronto and find a way to severance pay, as many of them will be un- The BIA’s members recently put sibilities that came with the street- Brossard, that city’s Village business incorporate the parklets into World- employed. Is there any way the community the brakes on the street-side patio side seating. organization president, told Xtra the Pride plans? Or what about further can fight the Health Canada ruling? Con- initiative (see page 9) — a venture But they’re the exception on the vacancy rate for storefronts on the collaborating with the team at The sidering the high demand for poppers, I’m they announced just a few months strip, whose business owners — while street dropped from 22 percent to 519, who have already championed surprised that entrepreneurs aren’t mak- back with much fanfare. On sev- endlessly talking about “beautifica- eight percent in less than two years the patio project? They know how to ing them, as they are quite easy to make. eral occasions, BIA manager David tion” — have perpetually been unable thanks to Aires Libre, which gets put on a fundraiser, which might be PETER IVESON Wootton confirmed to Xtra that the to use their imagination to come up support from Tourism Montreal and what’s needed to help offset the cost TORONTO, ON patios were here to stay, especially with long-term initiatives that actual- the City of Montreal. “When the city of the parklets. What about working for WorldPride in 2014. “Instead of ly beautify the neighbourhood. They shortened the length of the project with Toronto artists or promoters I think the poppers ban by Health Canada waiting for the properties to change instead appear content to wring out this year, businesses, residents and to find clever new ways to use the was only one of the reasons Priape got into their look and feel, we need to dress every last drop of queer creativity, as the gay community all came together parklet spaces and bring in cash to financial difficulty and had to permanently around them,” he said about a year they did recently when they covered to voice their displeasure,” he said. pay for them? An open-air gallery close their stores in Toronto, Calgary and ago. A couple months later, Woot- Village poles with uniform fake tree If only we weren’t so complacent tour, a street-long parklet tea dance, Vancouver. Another reason is that there ton told us, “This is an idea the BIA bark, relegating posters to a couple in Toronto. Folks — as our beloved a patio sidewalk sale, a street-side are a number of gay websites in the US and board is completely behind... we overcrowded community boards. mayor would say — the time is now. busker fest? Europe that sell the same products that will probably take on a project man- The BIA is joined in its torpor by WorldPride is around the corner. It would be a huge waste of money were formerly offered by Priape but at a ager to help with that.” Tourism Toronto and the City of To- The BIA and Village residents can’t and effort if the project is squelched fraction of the cost — even when you add in What’s changed? ronto — both have so far failed to de- wait for Councillor Kristyn Wong- before it’s had a chance to see a full taxes and shipping costs. These mail-order The BIA says the price tag is too liver the cash or creativity needed to Tam to do all the heavy lifting, as summer. websites were able to do so since they don’t high and some businesses didn’t no- make a splash for WorldPride. The it appears she did with the parklet have all the costs of a storefront location, tice any financial gain after the city LGBT section of Tourism Toronto’s project. “This summer was a pilot Danny Glenwright is Xtra’s managing like high rents in local gay ghettos, and can installed the patios in early August. amateurish website continues to project... Everything was done for editor. employ fewer people in processing and But surely the BIA knew the cost list businesses that have long since shipping the online orders. Today, you can when it announced the project last closed. And while the city paid for The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian buy lube, sex toys, leather fetish items, et year. And it’s clear to anyone who’s the first year of the parklet project, people daring together to set love free. cetera online from these websites. walked through the Village that it that won’t matter much at World- Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3. KEVIN B will take more than fancy street-side Pride if the BIA kiboshes it. TORONTO, ON WORKOUT OASIS Transform Yourself In Our Private Gym Let Our Team of Top Trainers Get You Fit! "In 16 weeks I lost 35 pounds and 11.8% body fat! To say I recommend Evolution would be an understatement!" – Mauer Chiarello Drop by & mention Xtra for a complimentary espresso or cappuccino and health consultation between Nov 14 and Dec 12 NOW OPEN AT 101 YORKVILLE Call (416) 220-7883 or visit PersonalTrainersToronto.com today!

6 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS 100,000 Sushi Number of disco balls produced yearly at the A BIWEEKLY HELPING Gaelen Patrick height of the disco era Real Estate Sales Representative OF POP CULTURE, by Omega National SERVED À LA CARTE XCETERA Products. The King West! Louisville, FROM THE PTP ARCHIVES 5 YEARS AGO 85 East Liberty St Kentucky Heart of Liberty Village & King West The home of Omega, which now Offered at $458,000 XTRA #628, NOV 20, 2008 makes about 20 2 Bed / 2 Bath balls each month. Parking and Locker Included In 1978, Harvey Milk became the fi rst openly gay man 881 Sq.Ft. w/ High End Finishes elected to public offi ce in the United States. He was Ice cream Brand New Scan to view the full details of this assassinated the following year. The 30th anniversary of cone mobile-ready listing. his murder was marked in 2008 with the release of Milk, It’s against Buying? Selling? the Gus Van Sant–directed biographical fi lm about the San the law to Thinking Pre-construction? Proudly Serving Our Community! Francisco politician and gay rights advocate. transport one in Contact me your pocket in 416.801.9265 OUT ON THE STREET BY KYLE BURTON Kentucky. [email protected] www.gaelenpatrick.com Photos | Floor Plan | Map Receiving anal sex Also not allowed in Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc. Brokerage “Will you be watching the Kentucky. Independently Owned and Operated | 416.762.4200 Toronto Not intended to solicit those already under contract with another Realtor. Olympics in February?” Romero vs Romero A divorce case unfolding in Kentucky between Alysha Romero and her spouse, Rebecca Sue Romero. Planning a 6 Georgia Dee Julian Bjorn Number of months Holiday WARDROBE STYLIST YOGA INSTRUCTOR COOK INTERIOR DESIGNER after France legalized gay marriage that I’m going to boycott Yes, I enjoy I’ll probably watch I’m probably the fi rst gay divorce the Olympics watching the Winter parts of it, but I’m going to watch the happened. this year. Not big Olympics and winter not really into winter Olympics because PartyP on Russia at the sports. I’ve been a sports. Unless it’s a I enjoy speed Stéphane moment. snowboarder for snowball-throwing skating. And I’m Parisian candidate for about 12 years. competition. also really good at it. the famed Mr Gay title given by Têtu magazine. ? For more about the Olympics, see our cover story on page 12. Book with us at the POP TALK Churchmouse & Firkin! All it meant to me Ask us about was that Madonna customizing your event: Ciccone was singing PLATTERS | SEASONAL COCKTAILS

Têtu BUFFET|SET MENU | ENTERTAINMENT my song on her stage James Franco is on the HOLIDAY DECORATIONS | UP TO 80 PEOPLE cover of the November and I’m 27. And as a issue. ‘It’s not like it’s my punk-rocker from New mission to tell the stories of as many gay men as possible, York, I’ve basically although in some cases, I think it is been hoping that I would the point.’ Franco on playing gay characters. become so good that one Call or email us for more information Sal Mineo 416-927-1735 day I would piss off Madonna! Openly gay actor best [email protected] known for his role in Attitude Rebel Without a Cause Lady Gaga speaks to magazine about Madonna and subject of the incorporating “Born This Way” into her last tour. bio-pic Sal, directed by Franco.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 7 A BENEFIT FOR THE CANADIAN HIV/AIDS LEGAL NETWORK AWARDS KEYNOTE SPEAKER PRIX FOR Svend Robinson

Please join us to celebrate the work of the DE ACTION Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and to honour the winners of the 2013 Awards for L’ACTION Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights. Grandmothers Advocacy Network 2013 CANADIAN RECIPIENT Alternatives-Cameroun (Cameroon) INTERNATIONAL RECIPIENT

For 20 years, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network has been a global leader in the movement for health and human rights, fighting to ensure that people living with or affected byHIV are supported by laws and policies that promote prevention, care and dignity.

The Awards for Action were established by the Legal Network and Human Rights Watch in 2002. They honour excellence and commitment to work that has a direct impact on HIV/AIDS and human rights—in particular, SUNDAY work that benefits marginalized individuals and communities.

DECEMBER 1, 2013 TICKETS $75 (includes $25 tax receipt) AT 7:00PM Refreshments to be served. Complimentary open bar. To purchase tickets or for additional sponsorship information, please contact WORLD AIDS DAY Kimahli Powell at [email protected], or call 416.595.1666 ext. 245. BRAM AND BLUMA APPEL SALON Tickets can also be purchased via www.aidslaw.ca/awards. TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY 789 YONGE STREET, TORONTO

Sponsored by

8 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS My family are religious, pious people . . . they would not accept this idea; Upfront it would take too long to explain. Moroccan lesbian Laila E E 16 Parklets may not return to Village Many residents enjoy the public space, but some business owners are unhappy with the project

COMMUNITY NEWS ANDREA HOUSTON

Reviews are mixed for the bright pink parklets that lined the east side of Church Street this summer, and some local business owners are questioning whether to repeat the program in 2014. At the Church Wellesley Village Business Im- provement Area annual general meeting Nov 4, BIA manager David Wootton said some businesses on the west side of the street feel they missed out, but he says the price tag to implement the program on both sides of the street, at $250,000, is just too high. Budget-wise, Wootton says, the BIA was able to do it this year only because Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam’s office took care of almost all the costs. “As of now, we won’t see them in 2014 unless a corporate sponsor coughs up the money,” he says, noting the BIA is not actively looking for sponsors. Wong-Tam says that putting parklets on both sides of the street is not realistic. “From a parking perspective, there are no restrictions in removing parking spots on the east side of the street,” she says, but to install them on the west side, a traffic

study would be required, which would cost $10,000 The BIA says the street-side parklets cost too much and don’t translate into increased sales for Church Street businesses. ADAM COISH to $15,000. Avery Pitcher, co-chair of the BIA, said some all paid for by the city and corporate partners. Home Rupert Hon, BIA treasurer and TD Canada Trust public space, usable by anyone. But, Hon says, businesses, especially the bars and restaurants on Depot donated $20,000 in building materials, and branch manager, notes that $250,000 to put park- business owners told him, ‘If they can’t be licensed, the west side of the street, feel they missed out on the Carpenters Union Local 27 donated the human lets on both sides of the street is a lot of money. what’s the point in having a parklet right in front patio business. “The other side of the street asks resources to build the parklets. The city is paying The approximate cost to repeat the parklets on of my business?’ why the parklets aren’t on their side.” the cost of storage through the winter. just the east side is $50,000 to $100,000, he says. “The BIA is here to promote business,” he says. Wong-Tam has also heard criticism from busi- If the BIA decides to keep the parklets going, This includes materials to assemble the parklets, “We want to promote people coming here to shop, nesses. “I understand Pride takes the street for the businesses will have to pick up the tab. “For the labour to install and dismantle them, landscaping play and spend money,” he says. “So we don’t want to first part of the summer. So you lose some of the first time around, [the city] wanted to demonstrate and storage. Hon says storage alone costs between take on any projects that discourage business. Now, patio season,” she said, noting that the parklets to the community what the parklets could be like,” $6,000 and $10,000. I understand the residents have a different opinion.” can’t be installed on the street during Pride. Wong-Tam says. “But, going forward, you are go- Before next year, Hon says, the BIA will consult Resident Chris Drew, a member of the Church “This summer was a pilot project. It was like ing to have to want it, champion it and pay for it.” with the community, both businesses and residents, Wellesley Neighbourhood Association, loves the concierge service. Everything was done for you,” The BIA now owns the parklets, she says. “You to gauge whether there’s interest in pursuing a cor- parklets and wants the BIA to keep the program Wong-Tam told the AGM. are not starting from ground zero. You have an in- porate sponsor. That would likely mean corporate going. He says residents want to help the BIA do The parklets, which sat on Church Street for three credible infrastructure investment to work from.” logos and branding on the parklets, he says. whatever it takes to make sure the project happens months, were part of a pilot project modelled after Still, BIA co-chair Liz Devine, from Rainbow Hon says the businesses were expected to keep again next year. “We thought the parklets were a 2012’s Celebrate Yonge event. From start to finish, High Travel, says response to the parklets has been the patios clean, but that didn’t really happen, so great first step,” he says. “We’d like to see it back all expenses were taken care of, Wong-Tam says. The mixed. “The residents enjoy the space, and the busi- the BIA also had to pay for cleaning. next year in some way, shape or form. We’d actu- patios were built and installed, then, near the end of nesses like the extra seating,” she says. “[But] we’re Not all the parklets were licensed because Wong- ally love to see it expanded further up and down October, they were taken down and put into storage, a small destination to do the parklet program.” Tam requested that some should be designated the street.”

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 9 St. John’s Norway LOCAL NEWS Cemetery and Crematorium ŲŵŶɠ #(!-.)(ɠźɠ.ɠ))#( Arrest made in Skinner murder HAVE YOU HAD A LOVED ONE DIE? Four years after Toronto gay man Chris Chapel and Crematorium Skinner was beaten, run over and left ,#)/-ɠ)*.#)(-ɠ ),ɠ3)/,ɠ#(. ,' (.ɠ( -ɠƀɠ , 0 ' (.ɠ, ɠ0#&& for dead on the corner of Adelaide and #( )ƞ-.$)"(-(),13 ' . ,3źɠƀɠŴűŶƐŶŹűƐŲŹŶŵ Victoria streets, Toronto police have ar- )(3ɠƑɠ,#3ɠŸ'Ɛŵ*'Żɠ./,3ɠŹ'Ɛų*' rested and charged one man and served notice that up to fi ve more people may face charges related to the murder. Agustin Caruso, a 23-year-old Eto- bicoke man, was arrested Nov 6 on his way to York University, where he is a student. He is alleged to have partici- pated in the beating and to have been the driver of the SUV that ran Skinner over. He was 19 at the time. Detective Sergeant Stacy Gallant says the police do not consider the murder a hate crime. Warren and Ellen Skinner address the media at the Nov 6 press conference. “There was nothing in the investiga- tion that supported anything in relation when police confi rm their identities. Police had off ered a $50,000 reward to the knowledge that anyone in the Police are urging the five remaining for information leading to an arrest in vehicle knew Chris was gay. It still has suspects to come forward. the case, and the family had offered no bearing on the investigation. Chris “I have some idea who the others $100,000 more, but no one came for- was just a guy walking home — nothing are involved, who was in the vehicle,” ward to claim the reward. Instead, On November 25, vote more, nothing less,” Gallant says. Gallant says. “I’m sure they are aware Gallant says it was the police’s dogged Gallant also disputes the suggestion that I am pursuing them.” pursuit of the investigation over four put forward by some people who knew Police warn that “at least two more” years that paid off . Skinner that he was someone who arrests are to come in the case. For Skinner’s parents, the news of would be easily recognizable as gay. “Potentially everyone in the vehicle the arrest was “bittersweet.” “His family would tell you diff erent,” could be charged, depending on their “There is a small sense of relief that Gallant says. “It could’ve been anybody participation and if they assisted in any he is not on the streets any more,” says walking down the street and come in way, concealing any evidence or helping Skinner’s mother, Ellen. “Christopher contact with these individuals.” him get away with it for the past four was larger than life. He was smart, he Skinner was walking home from years,” Gallant says. was in the gifted program.” his younger sister’s birthday party Police were not willing to go into Skinner’s father, Warren, says he around 3am on Oct 19, 2009, when it is detail about how they tracked down “never lost hope” that the police would believed that he got into an altercation Caruso or whether he has given them fi nd his son’s killers even as the years It’s time to stand up for equality— with Caruso and his friends when he any more information. wore on. brushed against Caruso’s car while hail- In October, police announced that The family has set up the Chris at home and abroad. ing a cab. The men then beat Skinner to they had recovered more security cam- Skinner Memorial Foundation, which the ground and ran over him with the era footage related to the murder and raises money in his name for children’s front and back tires of the SUV before had fi gured out the make, model and groups and other charities. Money taking off . approximate year of the SUV in ques- from the family’s reward trust that Police say that six people were in the tion. Gallant says that Caruso had sold is unclaimed by the original donors car at the time of the murder, four men the SUV and that it recently came into will be put in the memorial founda- Help Linda McQuaig and two women. All could face charges police possession. tion.— Rob Salerno and the NDP support LGBT rights in Russia. Toronto residents call for Rob Ford to step down Add your voice: Protesters gathered outside Toronto ing to hear what the mayor has to say.” city is an inclusive place for LGBT www.ndp.ca/LGBTRussia City Hall Nov 6 to call on Mayor Rob A second protest has been planned people.” Ford to step down. for Wed, Nov 13 at noon at Nathan The reception will be hosted by the After months of lying about his drug Phillips Square. City of Toronto. “I am not inviting May- use, Ford admitted Nov 5 that he had Meanwhile, Councillor Kristyn or Ford,” Wong-Tam says. “His time has smoked crack cocaine and that he has Wong-Tam says Ford will not be in- passed. He has never acknowledged our an alcohol problem. However, rather vited to an official City of Toronto community. We have these [homopho- than stepping down to get help, he said WorldPride event that will welcome in- bic and racist] comments. He has never he will stay on as mayor. He did not ternational elected offi cials and global denied making those comments . . . I address allegations that he is heard human-rights leaders. don’t want this mayor to embarrass us Paid for and authorized by the offi cial agent for the candidate. making homophobic and racist slurs in The reception will take place on the in front of international guests . . . The the same video that shows him smok- same day as the WorldPride opening mayor of the most diverse city in Can- ing what appears to be crack. ceremonies in June, she says. ada should not be making homophobic 878 Yonge Street // 416-900-7493 “The man needs help, he needs to “This will be a VIP reception for and racist slurs.” —Andrea Houston leave,” one protester told Xtra. elected offi cials, and we will be invit- Another said he was at city hall to get ing the world,” she says. “We want to lindamcquaig.ca For more on these stories, answers: “I hear that there are homo- demonstrate to them that this is how go to dailyxtra.com. phobic slurs in this video, and I’m wait- Toronto celebrates its diversity. This

10 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Zambia: First Lady calls NEW COUNSELLING & for end to PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE now accepting clients including discrimination ‡/*%7DQG4(OGHUV ROBERT G.COATES, VALERIE A. CHANG, ‡6FKRRO$JH&KLOGUHQRI6DPH6H[3DUHQWV based on B.SC, LL.B, TEP B.A., J.D. RURID/*%7RU46LQJOH3DUHQW BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY BARRISTER & SOLICITOR sexual CERTIFIED SPECIALIST ‡6DPH6H[&RXSOHV (ESTATES & TRUST LAW) ‡1HZFRPHUV orientation IRUVLWXDWLRQVLQFOXGLQJ R.G. COATES ESTATE LAW P.C. 9 8 1 ‡/LYLQJZLWK&KURQLF 120 Carlton Street, Suite 307 Toronto, Ontario M5A 4K2 1 3K\VLFDO 0HQWDO+HDOWK'LDJQRVHV Tel. (416) 925-6490 Fax (416) 925-4492 E web: www.rgcoates.com C ‡6H[XDOLW\ email: [email protected] N ‡&RQÁLFW I email: [email protected] S ‡$GGLFWLRQV

9FRQYHQLHQWVXEZD\ORFDWLRQVHUYLQJ 7RURQWR:HVW0LVVLVVDXJD(DVW 9ZKHHOFKDLUDFFHVVLEOH 9HYHQLQJ6DWXUGD\DQG6XQGD\ DSSRLQWPHQWV 9LQFRPHDGMXVWHGIHHV

John Brac,%(G2&706:56:   www.growingheart.ca

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 11 FROM ANCIENT GREECE TO SOCHI A gay history of the Olympic Games

COVER STORY sport and physical activity into sexual homoeroticism was closely bound up JP LAROCQUE abstinence,” says Professor Bruce Kidd, with that system of power.” of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Between 776 BCE to roughly 260 Kinesiology and Physical Education. “In CE, the Games were considered to be here is no room in competi- the ancient world, homosexuality was the most prestigious event in ancient tive sport for homosexuals. closely associated with athletics and Greece. Every four years, the sacred site T That was the basic mes- celebrated as such in poetry, sculpture, of Olympia was flooded with spectators sage of Russian legislator vase painting and other representa- from the surrounding regions for an Vitaly Milonov in an interview earlier tions. The ancient Olympics began as event that was a combination of both this year. Ardent in his support of his an integral part of the system of power religious ceremony and pure voyeuristic country’s anti-gay laws, he dismissed by which male aristocrats garnered spectacle. And key to that spectacle was “Champions were rewarded with lav- the International Olympic Committee’s a disproportional share of the social the celebration of the male body, con- ish cash bonuses, lifetime pensions and assurances that international athletes surplus for themselves. The cult of sidered to be the physical embodiment generous gifts of merchandise,” Kidd and tourists would be exempt from ar- of the perfection of the Greek gods. says. “Not infrequently, their victories rest. “The federal law is valid throughout Aristocrats and labourers were opened up the doors to successful ca- the territory of the Russian Federation brought together under a strict ex- reers in politics and business.” and no one has the right to suspend it,” ercise regimen and stripped of their And, in certain cases, victorious ath- he stated. Meanwhile, Russian athletes garments. Foot races, discus throwing, letes would become objects of sexual were “traditional, normal people with boxing and wrestling were just a few of desire, profiting from their newfound big families,” whereas gay and lesbian the sports performed in the nude, and fame by becoming lovers to the wealthy. athletes were framed as inherently weak while women did participate in the because of their sexual preferences. games as athletes and trainers, their “I just think that if an athlete is nor- competitions were kept separate and he ancient Games remained mal... everything is normal. And if [they were less popular. In fact, many of the a popular draw until 393 CE, are gay], there should be some excuse surviving depictions of female athletes T when Christian emperor they come up with — “I’m not running often have them clothed — suggesting Theodosius banned all pagan because I’m not a man or a woman.” both propriety and an intentional sepa- festivals. Aside from a few regional ath- Milonov’s comments provide fasci- ration from erotic display. letic competitions in the centuries that nating insight into the way in which While many historians are reluctant followed, the Games remained mostly Russian lawmakers have shaped the to classify the ancient Games as gay in dormant until French educator Pierre conversation on sexuality and gender in the modern sense of identity and sexual de Coubertin launched a version of the their country. Perhaps most interesting, orientation, they do acknowledge that Games in 1894 that would foreground however, is how his statements about the athletic competition was a reflection more modern concepts, such as fair play, sexuality and athleticism reveal an ut- of the prevailing attitudes of the time. bureaucracy and an overall adherence ter lack of awareness about the origins And in Greek culture, pederasty was to rules. and in schools would lead to a “soften- and traditions of the Olympic Games — common between men of the aristoc- And in many ways, these modern ing” of Western males. Organized sports namely, that from their very inception, racy and prepubescent boys. Far more Games were also a reflection of the pre- were viewed as a means to reestablish the Games have always maintained a than a mere sex act, this union was seen dominant cultural anxieties of the time the gender binary by separating men strong link to same-sex desire. as a mentorship that had as much to — namely, that men were becoming too and women and reinforcing masculine “Eroticism and sexuality have always do with an exchange of knowledge as feminized as a result of modernity and values. been part of athletics, sport and other sexual desire and that often ended at the Industrial Revolution. With farm- Still, even with this newfound focus forms of physical activity, even though the onset of adulthood, when the young ing communities broken up and fathers on shoring up masculinity, homoeroti- some institutions have sought to chan- Figure skater John Curry was the first men would settle down with female separated from their sons, many feared cism at the Games has continued to nel the discipline and exhaustion of openly gay athlete to win Olympic gold. partners and start families. that a lack of male influence in homes prevail in both overt and covert ways.

12 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS House off the ground in Sochi, the coali- tion is looking into the possibility of a virtual Pride House, as well as creating additional houses in other countries around the world and spearheading a same-sex hand-holding initiative that would encourage those who attend the Games to hold hands with other people of the same sex. “Keeping up a friendly dialogue with the IOC and other sporting bodies is important. We will collectively con- tinue to lobby, at a local, national and international level, the Olympics and other major sporting bodies to ensure a safe and inclusive space for all athletes is possible.” JP LAROCQUE VIRTUALLY EVERY GAMES HAS eanwhile, the Russian LGBT PRODUCED POWERFUL HOMOEROTIC Sports Federation has been IMAGES, ESPECIALLY THE OFFICIAL M organizing a gay-friendly POSTERS FROM STOCKHOLM 1912 athletic event to be held in their country following the Winter THROUGH TO HELSINKI IN 1952. Olympics. Dubbed the Open Games, Above, professor Bruce Kidd, of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology the competition welcomes athletes of and Physical Education, says sex has always been a part of the Olympic Games. all orientations and will take a more Left, posters from Olympic Games in 1912, 1924 and 1952. indirect approach to promoting toler- ance by placing emphasis on athletics whatever sport,” he says. “I’m not just hich, of course, brings the con- rather than on human rights or politics. talking about the locker-room mental- versation back to Sochi. “Sport is a universal instrument ity, but even at the professional levels, W With the massive success to solve many different problems,” it’s a marketability thing — similar to of the Pride House concept, Yablotskiy recently told The New York actors who are afraid to take the risk.” queer sports organizations like the Times. “By developing LGBT sport, we And it was this fear of risk that moti- Gay and Lesbian International Sport can improve the standing of the LGBT vated WinterPride CEO Dean Nelson Association, the Federation of Gay community in our country. Our society to seek out and create a safe space for Games and InterPride had expressed has a very one-sided image of gays. gay athletes. Using national pavilions in an interest in creating support and People don’t understand that anyone Olympic Villages as a model, he founded continuity between international host could be gay. Your boss could be gay; the first Pride House at the Vancouver cities and major athletic events. These any good, normal person could be gay.” 2010 Games, which was a huge turning conversations laid the groundwork In contrast to a less direct approach, point for many queer Olympians. for Pride House International, a coali- Kidd sees value in visibility as an exten- “The culture prior to and leading tion of community groups and leaders sion of personal identity. “I think the up to 2010 was still very much hostile that was founded in the wake of the campaign within the Olympic move- towards LGBT, and I suspect it was Russian government’s rejection of an ment should focus on... individual self- “Virtually every [modern] Games the first Gay Games in San Francisco. in Montreal [at the World Outgames] application to create a Pride House at identification as the basic human right. has produced powerful homoerotic im- Over the last 30 years, the number that the seed was planted for the Pride the Sochi Games. “Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter may ages, especially the official posters from of openly gay athletes has steadily in- House concept,” he says. “It was my Nelson and WinterPride are a part prohibit political demonstrations, [but] Stockholm 1912 through to Helsinki in creased. Greg Louganis, David Pichler, first experience interacting with LGBT of the coalition, and they are working wearing a rainbow triangle or carrying a 1952,” Kidd argues. “And of course, sex Patrick Jeffrey, Mark Tewksbury and sports, and I realized that some of these closely with Konstantin Yablotskiy small rainbow flag should not be taken has always been part of every Games, Anastasia Bucsis are just a few of the athletes... could be Olympic hopefuls or and the Russian LGBT Sports Federa- as a ‘political demonstration,’ but sim- which is why condoms are now distrib- Olympic competitors who have ac- Olympians, as in [Tewksbury’s] case.” tion to help protect queer athletes and ply a statement of self-identification... uted to the athletes in every Village and knowledged their sexuality in the in- The first Pride House was an unprec- spectators in Russia during the 2014 not unlike the act of waving an eagle quickly run out.” terest of making positive changes to edented success. Over the course of the Games. “We are lobbying the IOC to feather or wearing a crucifix, turban, the system. And yet even with gradual competition, 20,000 people visited the update their charter to include sexual Métis scarf or hijab — all of which have progress, gay and lesbian athletes con- three Pride venues, and the pavilion orientation, gender identity and gender happened at previous Olympics without prior to 1960, historical ex- tinue to have a hard time finding sup- was one of the top international news expression in Article 6 of the Olympic incident.” amples of homosexual Olym- port — both within the world of sports stories to come out of the Games. In Charter, where it states sports must Gadzic is reluctant when it comes to P pians are limited at best, and and even within their own families. 2012, a similar project was launched at be free of discrimination of any sort,” demonstrating on foreign soil. “I would the stories that do exist are “I think being a national or interna- the London Games. he says. love to compete in Sochi, [but if I did] I often tragic. Because of the laws in place tional athlete would certainly add to the Professor Kidd sees the institution of Pride House International is also ap- would comply with the laws of the land. during much of the 20th century, few difficulties of coming out,” says Marko Pride Houses as an important strategy plying pressure on the IOC to update its We can’t expect a country to openly be athletes were able to be open about their Gadzic, who participated in both the to affirm and protect the community. selection process to ensure that future accepting of gays overnight.” sexuality, and those who did come out Outgames and the Gay Games. “How- “One of the moving untold stories about host destinations embrace full equal But Reid disagrees. “Laws like this... often faced harsh punishments or had ever, I never worried too much about the Pride Houses in Vancouver is the human rights in order to avoid a situa- are a reminder that politicians aren’t the truth buried by family and friends. letting people know I was gay after I number of athletes, coaches and officials tion like Sochi happening again. Or, as above sacrificing human rights for po- But with the gay rights movement came out. It was all the people I felt like who were given refugee status by the Nelson puts it, “if a destination wants litical gain. The Russian government blossoming in the 1960s, more athletes I was going to disappoint by coming out Canadian government. to host the Olympics and sees the value doesn’t own the Olympic movement, so began to feel comfortable about going — mainly family and friends.” “As long as there is so much persecu- in bringing the Olympic spirit to their I think it would be within the Olympic public. In 1976, English figure skater Athlete Raymond Reid agrees but also tion... in many parts of the world, Pride nation, they will need to modify their spirit to still compete.” John Curry became the first openly feels that the pressure to conform ex- Houses that affirm LGBTIQ among laws to ensure [they are] in line with He pauses. “Doing so openly would gay athlete to win Olympic gold. And tends well beyond the personal sphere. the sports community and the greater the Olympic Charter.” be a tremendous benefit in terms of in 1982, Tom Waddell, a participant in “In terms of athletes remaining in the public and enable such refugee status In the event that the group is ulti- upholding the humanity of the Olympic the 1968 Olympic decathlon, founded closet, it’s definitely a cultural thing in are essential.” mately unsuccessful in getting a Pride spirit and fighting homophobia.”

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 13 NATIONAL NEWS .com Psychotherapy • Counselling • Depression • Anxiety Gender • Sexuality • Life & Executive Coaching Sochi posters provoke A Quebec LGBT organization hopes Clinical Member, Ontario Todd Kaufman Society of Psychotherapists its eye-catching Sochi 2014 campaign will encourage more people to rally 1.800.699.3396 • [email protected] against Russia’s discriminatory anti- gay laws and will show Russian LGBT people that the world is behind them. On Nov 1, Fondation Émergence Check out our FREE launched the campaign by releas- ing two striking posters: one of male Real Estate App hockey players kissing and another of female snowboarders doing the same. Harvey Malinsky, Broker The posters read “Sochi 2014” in Shana Malinsky, Sales Representative stylized script — a nearly wordless RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage design intended to make the posters 723 Mount Pleasant Rd., [email protected] usable across the globe, says Martine www.HomesWithUs.com 416-486-5588 Roy, Fondation Émergence’s president. The Montreal-based advocacy group is known for its annual International Day Against Homophobia organizing, as well as for campaigns that touch on everything from support for LGBT seniors to workplace rights. Under Fondation Émergence used few words on its posters in the hope they’ll be used around the world in the lead-up to the Sochi Olympic Games. Russia’s new bill, dubbed the “anti- DENTAL gay-propaganda law,” both the post- like this, deciding to put such a law in President Vladimir Putin’s assurance ers and the acts depicted on them, if place, it means it can happen to us.” that athletes will be respected during the CARE done in public, could be considered In a statement in French posted to Games “a strategy to ease tensions and “propaganda of nontraditional sexual Fondation Émergence’s website, Roy to help forget this homophobic law that Dr. Elon Griffith relations amongst minors.” Off enders, condemns the law for violating free- will continue to harm Russian LGBT Cosmetic & General Dentistry both citizens and visitors, can be fi ned dom of expression — especially in its communities and to put them in danger or jailed if found guilty. much-criticized ambiguity — and for once the Olympic Games are fi nished.” 416-923-3386 “We fi nd it is incredible we are go- how it may incite intolerance. Fondation Émergence has prepared [email protected] ing backwards like this, especially in She also criticizes the International 5,000 copies of the posters and match- Russia,” Roy says of the bill, which Olympic Committee for not condemn- ing stickers with the help of funding 25 Charles St. W. the Russian parliament passed unani- ing the law, especially given its contra- from the Quebec government. The Toronto ON M4Y 2R4 mously in June. vention of paragraph six of the Olympic campaign material, along wi th in- “It made me very scared because Charter, which takes a stance against formation about the Russian law, is

BLOOR ST. W. when you see a country as infl uential as discrimination during the Games. available at fondationemergence.org. Russia, as big as Russia, turning around In her statement, Roy calls Russian —Natascia Lypny CHARLES ST. W. BAY ST. BAY ONGE ST. Our Office Y Government making ‘contingency plans’ for Sochi attendees The federal government will be provid- Putin. It seems unlikely that that will Paul Dewar said in a statement. ing assistance to Canadians who might happen, however. With new legislation being imple- SAME-SEX LEGAL ISSUES fi nd themselves ensnared in Russia’s “As with previous Olympic Games, mented that would crack down on rallies infamous anti-gay laws at the Sochi we will increase our ability to provide or demonstrations before, during and af- Winter Games. consular services to Canadians at the ter the Olympics, it seems quite possible JANICE P. WARREN With fewer than 90 days left until Sochi Olympic Games,” Minsky told that Canadians could fi nd themselves in BARRISTER & SOLICITOR the world heads to Russia, concerns are Xtra via email. She would not com- trouble with Russian authorities. 416-323-7767 growing that the country’s draconian ment as to whether a dedicated offi cial While Putin has swatted away con- [email protected] laws could cause trouble for Canadians, would be sent. cerns about the laws, politicians from Immigration: Same-Sex Sponsorship even as the Russian government has Randall Garrison, NDP critic for around the world have condemned his Applications from Canada & Overseas tried to assuage fears. But Ottawa is LGBT aff airs, says he spoke with Yelich agenda. Baird said he hopes that the looking to ensure that no problems and was told the government is not cur- Games will put pressure on Putin to U.S. Work Permits arise at the event. “Special contingency rently considering sending a dedicated repeal them. plans will be put in place, including consular offi cial to deal with the issue. The NDP demanded that the min- CYNTHIA BOROVOY WARREN extra capacity in both Ottawa and Mos- The opposition critics for sport, for- ister go a step further and implement BARRISTER & SOLICITOR cow,” says Adria Minsky, a spokesper- eign aff airs and LGBT issues co-wrote a a visa ban on any of the authors of the 416-964-0900 son for Lynne Yelich, minister of state letter to Foreign Aff airs Minister John original anti-gay legislation. [email protected] for consular aff airs. Minsky would not Baird (who is not responsible for con- The Department of Foreign Aff airs Domestic Matters: Domestic Agreements elaborate on what those plans entail. sular aff airs), asking that a designated says it will be setting up a website to Real Estate: Purchase, Sale & Mortgages: The NDP has called on the govern- representative for LGBT issues be on help Canadians who plan to make the Estate Planning: Wills and Powers of Attorney ment to send a dedicated representa- hand at the Games. “By designating trip to Sochi. —Justin Ling tive to deal with any problems that may a consular offi cial, the Conservatives arise for LGBT Canadians, in the face can demonstrate a real commitment to For more on these stories, 30 St Clair Ave W Suite 400, Toronto ON M4V 3A1 of harsh “anti-gay-propaganda” laws making sure the Sochi Games are open go to dailyxtra.com. implemented by President Vladimir to all Canadians,” foreign aff airs critic

14 NOV 14-27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS “... Someone finally cared for my well being. They gave me hope that I could go on.” * Former ASH Client

The Addictions Supportive Housing (ASH) team provides support so residents can succeed.

Fife House has been providing housing and support services to people living RON with HIV for 25 years. Everyone deserves Hope, Help and a place to call Home. 72 Hour Sales Event HYDE %0/"5&


t


70-6/5&&3


t


'0--08 !öGFIPVTF





















XXXGBDFCPPLDPN'JGF)PVTF November 14-16

'JGF
)PVTF
'PVOEBUJPO

t



t

XXXöGFIPVTFPSH Don’t pay until next year with two payments waived2 and up to $2,0003 in year end credits.

Sales Representative 29 years experience Sutton City Realty Inc., Brokerage Independently owned and operated 437 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1P1 416-461-0907 THE 2014 B 250. Cell: 416-347-1505 TOTAL PRICE1: $33,220** [email protected] FINANCE APR LEASE APR LEASE PAYMENT www.ronhyde.com 0.9 %* 2.9 %* $298* + 60 MONTHS 48 MONTHS $5,569* DOWN 1Taxes extra.

THE 2014 C 300 4MATIC™ AVANTGARDE EDITION. TOTAL PRICE1: $44,995** FINANCE APR LEASE APR LEASE PAYMENT 0.9 %* 2.9 %* $358* + 60 MONTHS 39 MONTHS $8,234* DOWN Toronto 1 Taxes extra.

residents PLUS, RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL call for 2 PAYMENTS WAIVED2

Rob Ford to MB DOWNTOWN | A CORPORATE STORE step down DREAM BIG | 761 Dundas St E | (866) 722-7589 | mbsalesevent.ca © 2013 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 2014 B 250 with Sport Package/2014 C 350 4MATIC™ Avantgarde Edition Sedan shown above, Total Price: $35,160 / $55,475. **Total price of $33,220/$44,995 includes MSRP and all applicable dealer fees. 2First and second month payment waivers are capped for the 2014 B-Class and 2014 C-Class Sedan (excluding AMG), up to a total of $800/$900 (including taxes) for lease programs and up to a total of $1,200/$1,300 (including taxes) for fi nance programs. 3Additional Year End Credit Allowance of $1,000/$2,000 applicable to lease, fi nance and cash purchases on the 2014 B-Class/2014 C-Class Sedan models (excluding AMG). *Lease offers based on the 2014 B 250/2014 C 300 4MATIC™ Avantgarde Edition available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on approved credit for a limited time. Lease example based on $298/$358 per month for 48/39 months. Down payment of $5,569/$8,234 plus security deposit of $300/$400 and applicable taxes due at lease inception. MSRP starting at $30,500/$42,250. Lease APR of 2.9%/$2.9% applies. Total obligation is $20,116/$22,537. 18,000 km/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). Finance example is based on a 60-month term with a fi nance APR of 0.9%/0.9% and an MSRP of $30,500/$42,250. Monthly dailyxtra.com payment is $469/$623 (excluding taxes) with $5,709/$6,969 down payment. Cost of borrowing is $634/$842 for a total obligation of $33,794/$44,276. 1Vehicle license, insurance, and registration are extra. Dealer may lease or fi nance for less. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See Mercedes-Benz Downtown for details. Two month payment waiver only valid from November 14-16, 2013. Lease and fi nance offers end November 30th, 2013.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 15 Online activism in

Moroccan gays and lesbians hope their growing cyber movement is the first step to wider acceptance

INTERNATIONAL about 5,000 gay and lesbian people have RUBY PRATKA stood trial on homosexuality charges since Morocco gained independence The interview has something of a cloak- from France in 1956. In May of this year, and-dagger feel about it. two young men in Rabat were sentenced “Nadya,” an elegant social worker to prison for homosexuality. in her mid-20s, rushes into a dark and Nadya says she knows many young crowded jazz club in downtown Rabat, people who have been kicked out of the capital of Morocco. She finds the their homes. At 28, she has already foreigner holding the notebook and moved into her own place but still fears begins to speak in an urgent whisper. her family’s reaction to her identity. “It “We’re going to have to leave; this would be total panic,” she says. “If they isn’t something we can talk about in rejected me because of it, that would be bars,” she says. “I set it up so we could a real shame.” meet in my friend’s flat. Let’s go.” While the Arab Spring of 2011 Only when we leave the bar and begin spawned a protest movement and plodding through Rabat traffic does she brought a reformed constitution and begin to talk normally. Nadya doesn’t a breath of political fresh air to this want her real name used because she monarchy, it did not ruffle the official fears losing her job if her bosses find stance on gay rights. Even in a bustling, out she campaigns, in her spare time, cosmopolitan city like Rabat, where with a few queer and allied friends, for people of all races live and work and the decriminalization of homosexuality as many women wear the veil as don’t, in Morocco. latent homophobia simmers below the “My parents don’t know, and no one surface. “Phobia” is perhaps more ac- at my job knows,” she says. “Most people curately used in the Greek sense than who are gay just live in hiding. I know the modern one — people react with fear I’m going to have to ‘come out’ someday, when the subject is brought up. but I’m really scared.” “I don’t want to talk about it; it just up- Here, as in the rest of North Africa, sets me,” says one train passenger in Ra- same-sex attraction is truly “the love bat, moving away from the conversation. that dare not speak its name.” The Mo- “You must be very stupid to pursue roccan criminal code threatens “anyone this story,” adds another. who commits an indiscreet act or an Very few civil society organizations act against nature with someone of his address homosexuality. “Even the activ- or her own sex” with a prison sentence ists who led us through the Arab Spring of six months to three years and a fine reject homosexuality, and organizations of 200 to 1,000 dirhams ($25 to $125 who work on other forms of antidis- Canadian). According to data collected crimination do not include discrimina- by Kifkif, a Spain-based organization tion based on sexual orientation,” Nadya advocating for gay rights in Morocco, says. “The Organization for the Fight

Most people who are gay just live in hiding. I know I’m going to have to ‘come out’ someday, but I’m really scared.

16 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS North Africa

against AIDS has a gay men’s working group, the Alternative Movement for Individual Liberties [a leftwing protest movement] has touched on it, and that’s A TALK WITH about it.” Nadya participates — with her face covered — in cheeky YouTube videos ABDELLAH TAÏA calling for decriminalization, set to Lily Allen’s “Fuck You.” Inside a cozy The man hailed Rabat apartment, rented by an actress as Morocco’s first friend of Nadya’s and filled with young, artistic people, her friends can play the openly gay author videos on repeat and laugh. Outside, Known as the first Arab writer to not a chance. publicly declare his homosexuality, Nadya believes there are many rea- Abdellah Taïa grew up in Rabat, sons for hostility toward gays and les- where poverty and queerness both bians in Morocco. “Politics, religion and Author Abdellah Taïa, stunted and stoked his literary fear enter into it. Women are also afraid, on the cover of Aswat. ambitions. like, ‘You’re a lesbian, so you are going Today, as he edges into his to jump on me.’” you think this will change as 40s, his work has become a your career develops? necessary, and perhaps unique,  bridge between the Arab world No, this will never change. I create and the West. To the English- from a world that I know very Fear of rejection leads many queer Mo- speaking world, his best-known intimately — what’s happening roccans to live elaborate double lives. work is his autobiographical inside of me. Homosexuality is “My family are religious, pious peo- novel Salvation Army — a brief here, in me, in that world. But ple... same thing with my colleagues and heart-wrenching account of homosexuality is not my subject; at work who are conservative Mus- his coming-of-age and eventual it’s a subject for everyone, even lims. They would not accept this idea; departure from Morocco. By for heterosexuals. I don’t say it would take too long to explain,” says speaking unabashedly about to myself that I have to write Laila E, Nadya’s girlfriend, an admin- sex tourists, the latent sexuality about homosexuality. This very istrative assistant. “So I can only be of invisible populations, and his important part of me simply myself with the [queer] community.” first contacts with a bewildering comes out every time I write, Ishaq Nouri and Marwan Bensaid Europe, Taïa scandalized the in a very natural way. have taken their double lives one step Moroccan press even while he won further. The two wide-eyed 21-year-old international acclaim. And that gay identity inter- computer scientists turned journalists The English translation of sects with class and cultural edit Aswat, an Arabic-language LGBT his new novel, Infidels, will be background. All these parts of Top left: Rabat, Morocco’s capital, monthly magazine. They each use two published this spring. On Oct 23 you sort of run into each other is a bustling city of 1.2 million different first and last names, with dif- he participated in the Beyond in your writing. Is there a hier- people, with vibrant street life, ferent Facebook accounts and groups of crowded cafés and noisy traffic Queer event at the Vancouver archy, do you think, between friends to go with each. Ishaq and Mar- jams. THINKSTOCK International Writers Festival. — these aspects of identity? wan are not their legal names, rather the Above: The As-Sounah mosque Michael Harris There’s no hierarchy at all. Never. towers over the city’s main artery, names of their Aswat identities. There’s a lot of chaos, in my head Avenue Moulay Hassan. RUBY PRATKA “Our friends don’t know what I’m XTRA: Your Wikipedia page says and on the paper. Everything is A selection of covers from doing; my family doesn’t know what I’m you’ve been in self-imposed ex- Aswat, an online Moroccan LGBT mixed up: politics, sexuality, love, doing,” Nouri says. “We avoid publish- ile from Morocco since 1998. Is magazine. social problems . . . What’s very ing our real names; all of our writers use that what it feels like? Exile? pen names, and we avoid using photos.” important for me is to succeed The magazine talks about sexual ABDELLAH TAÏA: To be honest, in finding the right form for this health, current events and films; it in- I’m not totally comfortable with endless chaos. To find a little cludes advice on potential problems, the expression “self-exiled.” But phrase with a certain rhythm. Not such as coming out, and interviews with I did decide, when I was 13, to go to be descriptive, but to be poetic. prominent queer Arabs, such as French- one day to Paris in order to be who And to never, never let go until the Moroccan novelist Abdellah Taïa and I am: a free individual. end of the story. Ludovic Zahed, founder of Europe’s first gay-friendly Muslim prayer room. Being gay has become integral Go to dailyxtra.com for a to your identity as a writer. Do video interview with Taïa. continued next page E

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 17 Online activism space closed off, the Moroccan LGBT  in North Africa movement is a child of the internet; of forums like lgbtmaroc.com and gay- Fortunately, unlike in some southern E continued from previous page maroc.net, which have hundreds of African countries, violence and death members; of Facebook groups and web- threats are not part of daily life for Twelve people, mostly students, put sites; of online magazines like Aswat these activists. together the magazine on a volunteer and its predecessor, Mithly. According But other forms of intimidation can basis, on their own laptops. to Nouri, Aswat now has 5,400 unique be scary, especially for trans people “We have no office, and we have to visitors a month. and those who don’t dress according hide what we do from our families,” “The whole movement started virtu- to gender norms. Nouri says. “With school, it takes a lot ally, through Facebook and other social “There is violence; it’s verbal above of time. We do take risks, but it’s for a networks,” says Laila E. “You get to all, but it can be physical,” Nadya says. good cause.” know one person, that person gets to “I personally haven’t had to deal with “If my parents find out what I’m do- know others and it gets bigger.” any violence, but I had a girlfriend ing, I’ll have to leave the house and “Having a public [offline] event like a whose orientation was very visible, permanently leave the country,” says Pride would be much more challenging. and people would call her ‘brother’ in Bensaid, more cautious and softspoken I’ve dreamed about that, but it’s not a the street; it was really quite scary. than his extroverted co-editor. realistic dream.” “If you do get physically attacked, the “In the eyes of the law, homosexual- people who attack you have absolute ity is a crime,” Nouri says. “And we’ve  impunity. Because the law does not pro- had problems — Marwan’s computer tect you, you can’t go file a complaint has been hacked twice, and after anoth- There is no separation of faith and with the police. It’s like being an illegal er Moroccan magazine did a story on state in the Islamic monarchy, where immigrant. Because there’s no law; it’s us, an imam posted a video on YouTube the reigning king, Mohamed VI, is the law of the jungle.” saying we would burn in hell. But if we considered to be the “commander of Despite the Arab Spring and the were scared, we wouldn’t be doing it. the believers” and a descendant of the increasing liberties taken by other “With the magazine, our goal is to Prophet Muhammad. During Ramadan, minority groups in the country — for raise awareness among gays and les- the holy month during which observant example, atheist groups who have be- bians of what’s going on in the com- Muslims fast and pray throughout the come increasingly visible — the young munity and then approach the general daylight hours, restaurants are legally activists can’t imagine a Pride in the public,” he says. “We need to think forbidden from serving food to adult streets of Marrakesh or Tangier any- about changing people’s mentalities. Muslims. We need to think about changing time soon. They think that we’re some kind of Although the current king has de- “We want to get together, to mobilize criminals; others think we don’t exist creed the equality of men and women, people’s mentalities. They think that and to tell people that we are normal, in real life. Islam remains inextricable from politics we’re some kind of criminals; others that being homosexual is not a psycho- “We’re here to make things move and and law. logical disorder,” Nadya says. “We need to start talking about ourselves,” he “Religion blocks us from making think we don’t exist in real life. to work things out with our families, continues. “We have to admit that we progress, because in this country you our friends and ourselves before start- exist and that people different from us can’t legalize something which is forbid- Rabat, the second largest city in Morocco, is an administrative centre ing a movement. Are we ready for the exist and that’s natural. People haven’t den by religion,” Nadya says. “Hopefully, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. RUBY PRATKA consequences of rejection?” realized that yet.” in a few years we will be able to put in For Nouri, the Arab Spring has A print edition remains out of the place secularism; that would open the Nadya says that as a lesbian she has class got work except for him. You can planted a welcome seed of dissent in question. “It wouldn’t be possible to do door to a lot of other things. had less difficulty finding and keeping imagine, there are people who have a the public sphere in Morocco. If athe- a print edition,” Bensaid says. “Here in “To come out is to be a pariah; it’s a job than her male or transgender really difficult time because of this. For ists and religious dissenters now dare Morocco there are a lot of taboos, a lot difficult to find work,” Nadya contin- counterparts. transgender people, prostitution is the to eat in public during Ramadan, how of red lines you can’t cross — too many ues. “Already I’m somewhat rejected “I’m lucky, because I can pretty much only option.” It’s an option with its own unrealistic is a public LGBT event? red lines.” because I keep my hair short and I’m go unnoticed. The ones who have the dangers, of course, as prostitution and “It’s still impossible under the law,” Reporters Without Borders, a Paris- unmarried at 28. But I have an advan- most trouble are gay guys and trans- consensual sex out of wedlock are both he says, “but people have become more based press-freedom organization, has tage in that I’m financially independent. gender people,” she says. “Where I went crimes in Morocco. courageous. People are starting to fight declared that “religion, the king and the Most young people still live with their to university, I knew someone who “One of the reasons people condemn for good causes; there is a little seed monarchy in general, the country and parents, and we know a lot of people was gay. He wasn’t able to find work homosexuality is because people as- of a movement. Now we can express territorial integrity cannot be ques- who have been kicked out. There’s no even though we’d gone to a very good sociate it with prostitution, because ourselves better. Nothing concrete has tioned” in the country’s press. group that is working on that issue spe- university and our field was very much some people use it for prostitution,” changed, but we can say, ‘We’re here, With the print media and the public cifically; people talk among themselves.” in demand; everyone in my graduating Nadya adds. we exist.’”

Unlimited Internet distributel.ca 1 2 INTERNET SPEED DOWNLOADS PRICE $ 95 Cable Internet 6 Mbps UNLIMITED 34 1-877-700-7854 $ 95 Cable Internet 18 Mbps UNLIMITED 43 $ 95 Cable Internet 28 Mbps UNLIMITED 49

1 Speeds may vary depending on your configuration, the servers hosting the visited sites, Internet traffic, environmental conditions, network status and other factors. 2 Taxes extra.Terms and Conditions apply. Use of Distributel services is subject to our Acceptable Use Policy. A one-time $10 Activation Fee applies to new customers. All high-speed Internet services are subject to a $29 Installation Fee. Modem not included. Monthly modem rental starting at $3.95 and modem purchase starting at $54.95.

18 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Four same-sex couples file lawsuit Softly gentleman-like challenging Idaho’s gay marriage ban From bed-hopping to mountain-climbing with Anne Lister

HISTORY BOYS JEREMY WILLARD Giving you the prompt I’m not ashamed to personal service & attention you deserve say it: recently, while snuggled up in my big tub with a cup of tea, I watched a lesbian melodrama. It was The Secret Diaries COLIN LYLE LAW of Miss Anne Lister. I had just spent several days researching Lister and Family Law, Real Estate, Wills & Estates thought a drama based on her life would be a pleasant conclusion to my Colin Lyle offers legal advice & services to studies. I was disappointed that the individuals & families who need help with fi lm shows a one-dimensional Lister, their divorce, separation, property division, motivated only by her lusts. The fi lm custody, support, real estate, wills & estates, seems to fall into a trap we might all easily fall into: reducing Lister to her and other legal services. many sexual exploits. 15 years experience Lister (1791–1840) was born in the English town of Halifax, West Yorkshire. She inherited her 69 Elm St. Suite #301 family seat, Shibden Hall, in 1826 416.757.4229 Evening or weekend appointments available [email protected] ‡ www.lalaw.ca and worked hard to improve the property, including adding a Gothic tower and opening a successful coal mine. But what’s caught people’s attention most of all is the content of her diaries. Most of the more than four million While many reduce Anne Lister to her sexual exploits, she was also a smart words she wrote deal with national businesswoman and a record-breaking mountain climber. ERIC WILLIAMS events and her business and aca- demic interests, but about a sixth of one of Belcombe’s sisters, also named in the face of the prejudice of the diary was written in a code com- Anne. Lister wrote, “Talking... but her neighbours, who called her bining algebra, numbers and Greek. then got more loving. Kissed her, told Gentleman Jack. When she was 27, When eventually deciphered, it her I had a pain in my knees — my she wrote, “The people generally revealed a lifetime of lesbian desires expression to her for desire — & saw remark, as I pass along, how much Organic leaders for 30 years! and experiences. When she wrote plainly she liked me & would yield I am like a man... three men said Ontario’s 1st Certified Organic Retailer! Look for the “kiss,” it meant orgasm, “connection again, without much diffi culty, to as usual, ‘That’s a man’ & one Certified Organic Logo on products available in our with the ladies” meant lesbianism, opportunity & importunity.” By 1824, asked ‘Does your cock stand?’” She Vegetarian Deli, Juice Bar and throughout our store. and “going to Italy” meant sex. She Lister was also making frequent describes her demeanour elsewhere famously wrote, “I love & only love trips to Paris to see another of her in her journals: “Yet my manners are Natural Food Market the fairer sex & thus beloved by them partners, Maria Barlow. certainly peculiar, not all masculine 416.466.2129 [email protected] in turn, my heart revolts from any In 1825, Lister and Belcombe had a but rather softly gentleman-like. I 2)#/+%
20&5%'
9
5-,
9
20%'28
9
#+28
9
#7
00&3 love but theirs.” sort of secret wedding. Lister wrote, know how to please this fair maiden 0%#--8
#+3'&
'#4
9
')'4#2+#/
#(;
9
11-+#/%'3
Her fi rst experience was at “Marianna put me on a new watch of mine.” 00,3
9
#2#$'/
2''
0&8
#2'
'1#24.'/4 boarding school, Manor House, riband & then cut the hair from her She not only “married” whom with a girl named Eliza Raine. When queer [genitals] & I that from mine, she pleased, but was fi ercely !*0-+34+%
+31'/3#28 Lister was 19 she began a sexual which she put each into the little independent and had an adventurous 416.466.8432 &+31'/3#284*'$+)%#2204%# relationship with Isabella Norcliff e. lockets... for us always to wear under nature — oh, did I mention the +4#.+/3
+/'2#-3

542+4+0/#-
511-'.'/43 In 1812, Norcliff e introduced Lister our clothes in mutual remembrance. mountains? While travelling with 024*
.'2+%#/
8526'&+%

*+/'3'
'2$#-
'.'&+'3 +$2#4+0/#-

0.'01#4*+%
'.'&+'3 to Marianna Belcombe. Lister We both of us kissed each bit of hair her fi nal partner, Anne Walker, 20('33+0/#-
20&5%4
+/'3
9
20('33+0/#-
4#(( ditched Norcliff e for Belcombe, before it was put into the locket.” whom she also considered herself fell in love, but was distressed It’s pleasantly steamy, but it’s easy married to, Lister became the fi rst 2)#/+%
5+%'
#2 when Belcombe, because of family to forget there’s anything beyond woman to climb two mountains in 2'3*
5+%'3
9
2#$0
#-#&3
#/&7+%*'3
051 pressure and for fi nancial reasons, the steam. While her relationships the Pyrenees: Mont Perdu, in 1830, 2''
542+4+0/#-
402'
0523
9
2''
'.+/#23 married a widower named Charles are important in helping to show and Vignemale, in 1838. At a time Lawton. However, the two women that she was living a lesbian life in when most lesbians were forced to ')'4#2+#/
00,+/)
-#33'3 didn’t stop seeing one another. a more modern sense, it’s not just hide themselves, and English tourists
#/(024*
6'/5'
1 Block West of Chester Subway Lister considered herself married her bed-hopping that now causes visited the mountains mainly to 7774*'$+)%#2204%#
9
4*'"$+)%#2204 to Belcombe, but not monogamously, some to call her “the fi rst modern recuperate in resorts, Lister was 4*'$+)%#2204/#452#-(00&.#2,'4 and soon resumed sleeping with lesbian.” Lister cultivated a mannish setting records. I don’t remember 0/2+
 
9
#4
 
9
5/
 
Norcliff e. She also seduced at least demeanour and maintained it seeing that in the fi lm.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 19 CREATED AND PERFORMED BY DAMIEN ATKINS PAUL DUNN ANDREW KUSHNIR

DIRECTED BY ASHLIE CORCORAN

THE GHP COLLECTIVE

IN ASSOCIATION BUDDIES WITH IN BAD TIMES THEATRE THE PRESENTS GAY HERITAGE PROJECT DISCOVER YOUR HISTORY

NOV 17 – DEC 8 doublecrossed.ca Tanja-Tiziana, photo of Paul Dunn by photo of Paul lightupthesky.ca | lightupthesky.ca design by

LEAD QUEER MAINSTAGE CORPORATE FESTIVAL SPONSOR MEDIA MEDIA SPONSOR PARTNER SPONSOR

20 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS I was viscerally surprised by the amount Out in the City of outrage it awoke in me. Paul Dunn E26 Uncovering Thom Allison

Thom Allison may be the hottest thing ing for his own cabaret show — Shut on the stage right now, but he has a Up, It’s Christmas! — at the end of tough time wrapping his head around November. “I’m not very idle,” he says, it. “It’s good! It’s weird. What else is chuckling. “I don’t settle very well. The there? It’s great to have people thinking show is hilarious, and so ridiculous — that, but you know — back to the show! can I really do this for people in public? Maybe it’ll get me more and more inter- But it tickles me, so I think others will esting work. It’s lovely and flattering.” enjoy it as well. It’s very kooky and crazy He certainly has been getting more and campy and fun.” interesting work. Allison is part of Before Allison gets back to rehears- the all-star lineup for Acting Up Stage als, we ask the hard-hitting question: Company’s new show, UnCovered: Sting if he had to adopt one of Sting’s sig- & The Police, based on the songs and nature items — tight leather pants or lyrics of Sting. “The thought of taking a too-small T-shirt — which would he something that is known and changing choose? “Oh god. Leather pants are the context of it, that’s really what this too much on my ass, and the T-shirt event is,” Allison says. “What’s great, Thom Allison takes on the songs of wouldn’t highlight anything on me. Sting. DREW ROWSOME and what I love, is that these are songs I’ll find my own version of what Sting people know really well, but we show understand this now!’ wears.” — Andrew Jacome a personal version of the song; it’s a “The one I’ve been singing and fell fresh take on a classic. It’s a whole and in love with is ‘Mad About You.’ It’s so UnCovered: Sting & The Police complete experience that is so fresh. complicated and interesting and has Mon, Nov 18, 8pm People will get to really hear the lyrics so much poetry, and I’m drawn to a Koerner Hall and what they’re really saying. There’s narrative with a real emotional line.” 273 Bloor St W a lot of ‘I’ve never heard this before! I Beyond UnCovered, Allison is prepar- actingupstage.com BENT BEAUTY SUPREME OTTAWA, HERE I COME Queer people love a beauty queen. pers and boylesque hunks against Whether we’re cheering on an archly burlesque divas? That’s the twist at Forte: The Toronto Men’s Chorus is holding its upcoming avant-garde RuPaul’s Drag Race the heart of Bent Beauty Supreme; contestant, a catch-phrase-spewing cabaret in Erotico, the upstairs performance space at the while categories like beachwear, Honey Boo Boo hopped on go-go strip club Flash. While the downstairs is men-only, for the talent and formal wear are cookie- juice, or a Miss America contestant cutter classics, the contestants are purposes of this performance Erotico will be accessible via who can’t spell her own name, there’s a diverse lineup of local weirdos, in- a separate entrance and female patrons will be allowed in. just something about a competition cluding James and the Giant Pasty, “I won’t have an erection while I’m singing, but I’m a real to crown the “fairest of them all” that ManChyna, Fay Slift, Beever, Nancy hand talker, so there’ll probably be some gesturing,” says co- is so camp, so earnest and so glam- Bocock, Belle Jumelles and Axel host Vince Ciarlo. “I’ll be doing a solo called ‘My Unfortunate orous that it can’t help but demand Blows, and they’re all competing Erection’ from the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” queer adulation. So, it should come for the same tiara — not to mention The cabaret, called Broadway, Here I Come, will fund as no surprise that Toronto is about $500 cash. “It’s going to be a shit Forte’s trip to Ottawa for the 2014 Unison Festival, Canada’s to play host to a new queer beauty show,” Beaver says. “God willing.” gay choral festival. The evening will feature solos, duets pageant, although the beauty it cele- Taking its cue from Toronto’s infa- and ensemble performances, including “The Internet Is brates is deliciously outside the norm. The Toronto men’s chorus will perform their mous Miss General Idea Pageants, for Porn,” from Avenue Q, and hits from Cabaret, Chicago new show in a strip club. Toronto Bent Beauty Supreme: Bent Beauty Supreme promises to and Oklahoma. A Busted Beauty Pageant is the be a night of uncompromising, rav- Every year the choir does two large, formal concerts — one second season of Smash. If you read the lyrics, it’s all about brainchild of Sigourney Beaver, ishing beauty in every flavour under at Christmas and one in the spring — as well as a cabaret making a leap to being a Broadway star, so once we decided Cherry Piqued and Joe Blow, part the sun. Best of all, proceeds from preview for the spring show. The Erotico show breaks the on the Broadway theme, we thought it’d be a perfect song of the team behind west-end tradi- the event are going to Rainbow Rail- routine not only because it’s above a strip club and features to open with.” tion Steers & Queers. A gay country road, a group that supports queer only Broadway hits, but also because it’s not one of Forte’s The space can’t accommodate the entire 40-voice choir, night in Toronto is the kind of idea refugees. What a beautiful idea! – annually scheduled performances and will therefore be far so the show will feature only the most Broadway-obsessed that could be a total train wreck, but Johnnie Walker more casual — no tuxedos allowed. members and special guests, including cabaret singer Sherry it’s actually one of the most con- Ciarlo seems to be the chief architect of the Broadway Sylvain and drag legend Michelle DuBarry. —Jeremy Willard sistently fun parties in the city. So Toronto Bent Beauty Supreme is Fri, theme. “My neighbour tells people that every time she walks how about a beauty pageant that Nov 15, 10pm at the Gladstone Hotel, by my apartment I have show tunes blaring,” he says. “The Broadway, Here I Come is Fri, Nov, 15, 8pm at Erotico, pits drag queens against gay rap- 1214 Queen St W. gladstonehotel.com title, Broadway, Here I Come, comes from a song in the 461 Church St. forte-chorus.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 21 Saye, Saye, Saye what you want

the government says there are no les- Poet, spoken bians or gays or transgender in Iran. It’s so ridiculously funny.” word and rap Sadly, Sky’s parents weren’t as sup- portive as her university friends. Her artist Saye Sky mother and father remained clueless until Sky took the final step of pub- wins inaugural licly stating her sexuality. In front of a camera. Telus Award “I came out on TV,” she says. “There is a program called VOA Persian. It is so famous in Iran, and everyone watches it. SERAFIN LARIVIERE It was the first time somebody showed UP AND COMING up as a homosexual. I’m pretty sure they saw it.” “In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals She’s had no contact with her parents like in your country. In Iran, we do not since leaving in 2009, something that have this phenomenon. I don’t know makes her sad despite the dramatic who has told you we have that.” improvement in her personal safety. When ex-Iranian President Mah- “You have to sacrifice to get some- moud Ahmadinejad spewed forth those thing more important and bigger in words during his disastrous 2007 speak- your life, and I sacrificed a lot for my ing tour of the United States, it con- freedom. Now I have the microphone firmed what many of us had long feared in my hand, and I’m so free. When I go for our brothers and sisters in the Middle to bed I’m not afraid of any noise. I’m East. Not only were these women and not afraid of the government any more men being hunted, tortured, imprisoned and I can sleep at night.” and executed, but apparently their very Sky was recently awarded the inau- existence was to be obliterated from the gural Telus Newcomer Artist Award, country of their birth. a distinction that recognizes her work To imagine living under such horrific both as an artist and an activist. The conditions is nearly impossible here in prize was $10,000, but for Sky the real relatively tolerant Canadian society. It reward was in the validation and in- would be easy to shy away from these Saye Sky is making waves internationally through her music and activism on behalf of the oppressed in her home country creased visibility of her work. disheartening stories were it not for of Iran. ANGIE ARAND “I think I want to be a role model the brave queer voices shouting above for a lot of girls who live in the Middle the homophobic din. veritable trifecta of punishable offences who now makes her home in Toronto. who bucked Iran’s official position on East,” she says. “Those countries where Saye Sky is one of those voices. This in a land ruled by men. “I had a girlfriend from Vancouver who homosexuality. women are so oppressed and they’ve astonishingly talented poet, spoken In 2009 she released her first single, was supposed to come and live with me, “When I was in university we had a been told they can’t do anything. word and rap artist is making waves a blistering song about lesbian rights but everything changed after I released lot of lesbians, and no one would care “The freedom that I have here is internationally with both her music and in Iran called “Shadow of an Iranian my first song.” or say anything. But in the older gen- priceless, absolutely priceless. I can her activism on behalf of the oppressed Woman.” Of course, this didn’t go over Until then, Sky had enjoyed a rela- eration you never hear about it, like walk on the street holding my girl- in her home country of Iran. well with authorities, forcing her to seek tively safe life as a university student it doesn’t exist. In every single family friend’s hand, and no one would care. Sky was just 13 years old when she be- refuge in Turkey before she was finally in her home city of Tehran. It was there there’s someone who’s gay, woman or I’m not afraid any more.” gan writing about the rights of women, granted asylum here in Canada. that she took her first steps out of the man. The LGBT population in Iran is children and the LGBT community — a “I didn’t want to leave Iran,” says Sky, closet and found that there were others extremely high, and it’s so funny that Follow Sky on Twitter @sayesky.

HH Theatre presents: Nov. 28–Dec. 1, 2013 FEAR Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Tickets: $20 ‡ Call the Box Office at 416-975-8555 or online at: DESIRE www.buddiesinbadtimes.com/tickets (and the whole damn thing) Two queer plays, performances and more!

Enjoy an amazing triple-bill of Hosted by Keith Cole! queer mystery, comedy and more! 5 SHOWS ONLY

22 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 23 SELLING OUT FAST – BUY NOW!

Two MMessiahessiah pornstars, one photo “…one of the best Messiahs Ihaveeverheard.” shoot, one – THE GLOBE AND MAIL million views DIRECTED BY IVARS TAURINS American style Emma Kirkby, soprano | Laura Pudwell, mezzo-soprano Philadelphia Colin Balzer, tenor | Tyler Duncan, baritone cheese steak sandwiches All sandwiches Handel made with AA Ribeye MESSIAH I WENT TO WE HAVE at Koerner Hall PHILLY Dec 18–21 at 7:30pm

Koerner Hall TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, 273 Bloor Street West 462 YONGE STREET, NORTH OF COLLEGE 416.408.0208 Open ‘til 3am Fri & Sat Tickets: 416.927.9090 Sing-Along MESSIAH Massey Hall Sun Dec 22 at 2pm CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER Tickets: 416.872.4255 My professional life is dedicated to fortifying, safeguarding, and championing my clients. For 19 years, I’ve been fighting and winning criminal tafelmusik.org cases. When I commit to your case, I will personally evaluate the evidence, answer all your questions, and build an organized, aggressive, and gripping defence strategy. While I can never guarantee or predict the outcome of any case, I can promise two things: Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir I will be honest and up front at all times; and I will do Jeanne Lamon, Music Director | Ivars Taurins, Director, Chamber Choir everything in my power to win your case.

To witness my winning strategies, I invite you to review my Messiah Concerts Sponsor & CRAIG PENNEY extensive videos, testimionials, and case profiles on-line: Season Presenting Sponsor 205 – 120 CARLTON ST Stained Glass Photo: Margaret Fairbrother Garrison 416.410.2266 www.CraigPenney.com

24 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PAUL T. WILLIS B.A., LL.B. Barrister & Solicitor Notary Public GENERAL LAW Snap out of it! UÊReal Estate UÊCorporate/Commercial UÊWills/Estates Curing the UÊFamily November blues by exploring our Day or evening appointments available bustling city 120 Carlton St., Suite 308 Toronto ON, M5A 4K2 www.paulwillis-law.com [email protected] TORONTO 416.926.9806 AT NIGHT RYAN G HINDS Every year, November ™ rolls around and it sucks. I’m usually the Immigration is for lovers! happy-go-lucky, positive-vibes type, but Complete immigration services. Competitive pricing November is my once-a-year mope-fest, Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Extraordinary success rates. and every year my thought process goes something like this: Halloween is dunzo, as is decent weather. Christmas and New Year’s Eve seem so far away, at the Not sure where to begin? other end of a looooong stretch of grey, cold, probably wet and gusty days. Why Call us today for FREE assessment bother doing your hair for a date when November is Ryan G Hinds’s mope-fest month, which calls for the Cher treatment. 416-651-8889 it’ll get blown to hell and be soaked www.immigrationservices.ca by the time you get to 7 West? Let’s Well, guess that’s a no. So, to wit: online bicycle or a demanding aerobics class be honest, who’s got a date anyway? dude thinks you’re a stalker; Russell or team sports, getting your blood That dude from online lost interest, Crowe singing, failing and dying is flowing and your joints and muscles in exes should stay exes, and if there was just as watchable as it sounds; Dorothy motion will help keep the blues at bay. anyone around worth dating, you would Zbornak exists only on DVD; the world As for the social factor? Puhh-lease. have met them already. Even if you were is a cold, lonely, expensive, depressing Only boring people get bored, and dating someone, is there anything to do place... and it’s only mid-November. that’s a fact. Go clubbing! Fly has a that you haven’t done already? Either When I get like this, it’s time for the new Saturday night format and you way, you’d be stuck taking TTC to get Cher treatment. That “thwack” sound can tell Michael or Gilles I sent you. David LeBlanc, Bruce Ferreira-Wells, there; as anyone who ever takes the TTC is the sound of a really good backhand. DJ Relentless has every Friday night Successful Clients Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants RCIC – ICCRC knows, that means you’d get there late What was Cher’s line in Moonstruck? in The Zone at Crews & Tangos and and annoyed. “Snap out of it!” Say it out loud. Write the monthly Poz TO parties in the same Clearly, the best option is to stay it on your bathroom mirror. Put it on space. Retro Night on Sundays at Zip- home, hide behind a pint or 10 of ice a sticker. I’m going to take my own perz is always, always a good time, as cream and wait out the season watch- advice and do the same, and I’m going is Miss Conception’s Sunday show at ing Golden Girls on TV. Oh, it’s not on to do it because there’s no excuse for Woody’s (where you should catch her TV anymore? Channel surfing shows mopiness, either my own or yours! before she flies south for the winter). Rob Ford’s mug every other second. November might be one of those weird Further south on Church, Club120 Does he really count as Can-con? The seasonal transitional months, but that always has a full calendar of parties, round-the-clock Ford follies on CP24 doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Use it from hot guys in underwear to a Janet are draining, so maybe a quick trip to for personal growth and go play. Get a Jackson tribute to T-girl nights and Nicholas Banks the library sounds good. Wait, you still haircut that won’t get tempest-tossed. mixed queer dance parties. have a fine from when you borrowed Instead of Les Misérables, pick up some Want to get away from the Village? (877) 306-IPRO (4776) Les Misérables last year after the movie of the $45 Aladdin tickets floating Go east to WAYLA and holler at owner www.nicholasbanks.ca came out and didn’t finish it because around — or go see cheaper theatre Brian Duval or west to one of the Hen- it was 1,488 pages of characters get- anywhere else! If your library fines are house’s drag nights and holler with the ting killed and failing in their goals. Is embarrassing (and frankly, mine are a queens. Check out the Brazil Film Fest, You too will be saying the movie on Netflix? Maybe people lost cause; I expect the library police on starting Nov 28. getting killed and failing in their goals my doorstep any time now), get thee to There are so many things going on as while singing about it isn’t the best Glad Day’s sale rack or haunt your local we get closer to holiday season there’s watch. Hey, isn’t the musical playing? Chapters... those chairs were made no excuse to hermit yourself away. I’m It sure is, at $130 a pop, which you for sitting and reading! I will never say determined to shake off the shackles ‘...Thanks Banks...’ totally can’t afford. Maybe that dude that ice cream and sitcoms is anything of my November doldrums... and if from online is still interested... will but a good thing, but keep your energy anyone sees me looking dour, you have just one more message really make you up with regular trips to the YMCA; full permission to give me the Cher look that desperate? Ouch. Blocked. whether you’re doing easy treadmill/ treatment. Don’t be gentle!

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 25 Homo heritage minutes The Gay Heritage Project makes a complex history personal

CHRIS DUPUIS THEATRE

Choosing The Gay Heritage Project as a title for their current theatrical offering wasn’t an act of laziness for creators Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn and Andrew Kushnir. Rather, it acknowledges the inherent complexities and problems in the monstrous task they’ve undertaken. Neither a comprehensive overview of queer identity through the ages nor a conclusive account of what it means to be gay today, the project is more a way for the creators to identify a lineage and situate themselves somewhere within it. “There’s no word that accurately puts a finger on the people we’re look- ing for through history,” Atkins says. “‘Homosexual’ doesn’t go back far enough. ‘Queer’ isn’t a word everyone we’re looking at would identify with. We settled on ‘gay’ because it’s the word we use in our own lives, and we started this exploration from a personal place because that’s what we know best.” “Using the word heritage meant we also had to use the word project in recognition that it’s ongoing and ever- evolving,” Dunn adds. “We’ve come to embrace heritage as an activity, rather than simply a concept.” The work’s earliest flickerings devel- oped during another theatrical process: Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn and Andrew Kushnir are Hannah Moscovitch’s East of Berlin. the creators of The Gay Heritage Project. TANJA-TIZIANA Cast to play the gay son of a Nazi war criminal in the show, Dunn decided to research the treatment of homosexuals search out some rich history I wasn’t They then began developing material incomplete list of gay history bullet still a kind of gay soul you can look for, under the Third Reich and came upon convinced existed only underlined how using vocal masque, a highly athletic and points to a meaningful definition of which may not be anchored in those Heinz Heger’s 1980 book The Men with alone I was. What became enticing was playful form of performance storytelling. gay heritage? The answer is fuzzy but events but is still valid.” the Pink Triangle. the act of imagination in exploring After creating nearly four hours of con- depends on relating history to the pres- If any conclusion can be reached, it’s “I was viscerally surprised by the the ways we’re connected to other gay tent, they began the task of chiselling it ent moment as well as the future of the that there is rising interest in the subject; amount of outrage it awoke in me,” people. It was also important that we’re down to a neat 90 minutes. The result is a community. they point to recent productions of semi- Dunn says. “Maybe because it was in openly gay artists who are interested in collage of overlapping scenes, where each “History includes facts, dates and nal gay works The Normal Heart and An- the context of theatrical research, my talking about that. It’s not a footnote performer plays numerous characters. events,” Dunn says. “You can put them gels in America, as well as the explosion first impulse was to connect with these to our creative identities. It’s part of They step into The Wizard of Oz, put on paper but not nec- of websites dedicated to guys to make something.” our marrow.” the HIV virus on trial and interview essarily know how it THE GAY HERITAGE the theme. For their part, Atkins and Kushnir The research process, aided exten- Peter Worthington, the now-deceased connects to you. Heri- PROJECT “This play doesn’t had early reservations. sively by dramaturge Paul Halferty, in- journalist who helmed the Toronto Sun tage is the process of Sun, Nov 17–Sun, Dec 8 give any absolutes about Buddies in Bad Times Theatre “I was curious but not propelled the cluded scouring libraries and archives during the 1981 Toronto bathhouse making this personal.” 12 Alexander St whether gay heritage way Paul was,” Atkins admits. “But all and interviewing local and international raids. They have a dialogue with a man “History can be very buddiesinbadtimes.com concretely exists,” Kush- these years later, the work feels incred- community members knowledgeable in a concentration camp, perform an disappointing because nir says. “But what reso- ibly vital and indispensable to my life.” about the subject matter. Working in excerpt from Brian Orser’s 1987 World you’re left feeling that gay people like nates with me is defending the right to “I wasn’t terribly excited, originally,” a community spirit, they also set up a Championship–winning long program us, the ones who’ve formed an identity search it. When you feel like you don’t Kushnir adds. “I’ve never met another booth during Pride, inviting passersby and impersonate Margaret Atwood. around their desire, haven’t existed for even have that possibility, that’s what gay Ukrainian-Canadian, and trying to to share their thoughts on the subject. So how do they go from an admittedly that long,” Kushnir adds. “But there’s becomes truly problematic.”

26 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Mortgages: Purchasing r Refi nancing THE LITTLE ARMY STORE LINDA RUDOLPH (Mortgage agent — Lic #M10002559) TOP QUALITY AUTHENTIC MILITARY SURPLUS & WORK WEAR BEST PRICES IN CANADA 50 NORTHLINE RD. PLEASE COME ENTRANCE ON BERMONDSEY RD. AND SEE US Mortgage fi nancing... EAST YORK, TORONTO AT OUR NEW making it 416-759-8038 LARGER LOCATION. easy for you and your family

I work for you, not the lenders! 416.282.1677

2243 Queen Street E., Toronto (Lic. 12044)

TORONTO’S LOCAL

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 27 Pups and Handlers — HEALTH & ISSUES Black Eagle, Fri, Nov 22 The 519 Legal Clinic A free, accessible service for low- income people. Volunteer lawyers provide legal advice, referrals and WHAT'S ON help with forms and letters. The confidential and private visits FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM are first-come, first-served. Bring any necessary documents. Every Singular Sensation: A Thursday; registration 6–6:30pm. ARTS & LITERATURE Musical-Theatre Open Mic The 519 Community Centre, 519 Jennifer Walls invites amateur Church St. Free. the519.org Gay Men’s Art Project crooners to perform their favourite FTM Support Group Artists of all skill levels drop in to songs accompanied by a live band. create and schmooze in an informal Every Monday, 9:30pm–12:30am. Trans men share their experiences environment. Mon, Nov 18, 6–8pm. Statlers, 487 Church St. No cover. in a supportive environment. Takes The 519 Community Centre, 519 statlers.ca place the first and third Friday of each Church St. Free. gmaptoronto.org month. For more information, contact Hypnotixxx: A Slightly [email protected]. Fri, Nov 15, Book Launch: Naughty Comedy 7:30pm. The 519 Community Centre, Compared to Hitler Hypnosis Show 519 Church St. Free. the519.org The launch of author and critic Brandon the Hypnotist takes Positive Routes RM Vaughan’s new book features audience volunteers on a risqué to Recovery a lively discussion with the author and slightly rude jaunt into the A peer-led support group for gay on media, print and journalism. subconscious. Wed, Nov 20, men working through substance Wed, Nov 20, 7pm. Buddies in 7:30pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 abuse issues. Takes place the first Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. Free. Parliament St. $10 advance, $15 and third Tuesday of each month. buddiesinbadtimes.com door. pubaret.com Tues, Nov 19, 6–8pm. The 519 David Bowie Is Queer as Fuck: Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. pr2r.org This exhibit features hundreds of Comedy Open-Mic objects and costumes from Bowie’s The creator of Laughs at Slack’s LGBTQ Peer Support transphobic violence. Wed, Nov 20, 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. history when they attempt to answer personal archive and a multimedia presents a twice-monthly comedy Drop-In Group 7pm. The 519 Community Centre, No cover. blackeagletoronto.com the question “Is there such a thing as presentation on his contributions night in the west end. Featuring Queer people with mood disorders 519 Church St. Free. the519.org gay heritage?” Sun, Nov 17–Sun, Dec to arts and culture. Runs until Wed, Laura DiLabio, Brian Finch and gather for support and discussion. If A Storm of Sequins: Game 8, various showtimes. Buddies in Bad Nov 27. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Shannon McDonough. Wed, Nov 20, the building door is locked, press the Bisexual Men of Toronto of Thrones Burlesque II Times, 12 Alexander St. PWYC–$37. Dundas St W. $21.50 and up. ago.net 9:30pm. The Steady Café, 1051 Bloor button under the intercom near the A peer-support and discussion group buddiesinbadtimes.com St W. PWYC. thesteadycafe.com Fantasy-literature lovers indulge in a wheelchair entrance. Wed, Nov 20, focused on community and solidarity. night of Daenerys humping amid the Speak, Love Mini-Mused Fundraiser 7–9pm. Mood Disorders Association Tues, Nov 26, 8–9:30pm. Sherbourne Dothraki and Jon Snow’s travails in COMEDY & CABARET of Ontario, 36 Eglinton Ave W, Ste Health Centre, Room 1077, 333 Brendan Wyatt and Sasha A cabaret-style benefit for local the Night’s Watch. Sat, Nov 23, 9pm. 602. Free. mooddisorders.ca Sherbourne St. Free. torontobinet.org Ivanochko perform a dance duet Broadway, Here I Come charities. Featuring Melissa Azore, Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St W. $20 that explores differing views on love. Forte: The Toronto Men’s Chorus Kalsen Cheung, Katherine Janicki and advance, $25 door. gotburlesque2. Trans Day of Wyatt is nude from the waist down holds its first-ever Broadway-only Sara Minx, with Philippe Escayola on eventbrite.com Remembrance for the entire performance. Runs cabaret. Fri, Nov 15, 8pm. Erotico, piano. Sat, Nov 23, 9pm. The Flying LEISURE & PLEASURE Sapphic Aquatica: Thurs, Nov 21–Sat, Nov 23, various 461 Church St. PWYC–$10. Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $10 Folks of every stripe gather for this LGBTQ+ Garden Group showtimes. Winchester Street forte-chorus.com advance, $15 door. pubaret.com annual memorial commemorating Nookie in November those lost to or affected by Vegetation enthusiasts take part Women and trans people enjoy a Theatre, 80 Winchester St. $17.50– in some rooftop gardening. To sauna, outdoor heated pool, plush 20. blackandbluedanceprojects.ca register, contact Imrosovsky@ playrooms and the music of DJ accessalliance.ca. Tues, Nov 19, Fear and Desire (and Taming of the Dollface. Tues, Nov 26, 8pm–2am. 5–7pm. AccessPoint, 3079 Danforth the Whole Damn Thing) Shrew — 1803 Oasis Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. Ave. Free. accessalliance.ca Danforth Ave, $20. oasisaqualounge.com A three-act evening, with the Thurs, Nov 14 mystery play Stiff, the queer comedy Out and Out Club New Anal Play: Butts, classic People Are Horrible Wherever Members’ Night Prostates, Penetration You Go, and a performance featuring The queer social club introduces and Pleasure three young artists. Runs Thurs, Nov 28–Sun, Dec 1, various showtimes. potential members to its broad range A workshop where people of Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander of activities. Sessions are held the third all genders, orientations and St. $20. buddiesinbadtimes.com Tuesday of each month. Tues, Nov 19, experience levels can learn how 7–8pm. The 519 Community Centre, to maximize anal pleasure. Pre- The Woman in Black 519 Church St. Free. outandout.ca registration recommended. Wed, Nov 27, 7–9:30pm. Good for Her, 175 When a junior solicitor is sent to Eel Harbord St. $33. goodforher.com Marsh House to attend to the affairs SEX & BURLESQUE of a recently deceased woman, he is unaware of the house’s tragic Kink 201 THEATRE & DANCE secrets or the terrible purpose of Carrie Gray invites people of all a young woman dressed in black. genders and orientations to expand The All-Female Runs until Sun, Dec 1, various their BDSM repertoire in such Taming of the Shrew showtimes. Lower Ossington areas as rope bondage, flogging Theatre, 100 Ossington Ave. $39– Shakespeare’s funniest and most and sensory deprivation. Pre- 49. lowerossingtontheatre.com controversial comedy is performed registration recommended. Tues, by an all-female cast. For more Nov 19, 7–9:30pm. Good for Her, 175 Les Misérables information, contact jacqui. Harbord St. $33. goodforher.com Cameron Mackintosh’s new [email protected]. production of the musical about Thurs, Nov 14–Sat, Nov 30, various The New Wave Night: the redemption of ex-convict Jean showtimes. 1803 Danforth Ave. Valjean. Features the stirring songs Pups and Handlers $22, $15 students and seniors. “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Do You Puppy boys and their owners enjoy jaybirdproductions.ca a safe, sexy environment with like- Hear the People Sing?” Runs until minded people. Features a dungeon The Gay Heritage Project Sun, Feb 2, various showtimes. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 and information related to puppy Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn and Andrew King St W. $35–130. mirvish.com role-play. Fetish wear is encouraged Kushnir uncover a hilarious and rich but not compulsory. Fri, Nov 22,

28 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Crews & Tangos Saturday Random Play All ’70s and ’80s Fly Saturday DJs Shawn Riker and Foundation, with prize giveaways. Superfl y Saturday in Tangos, with DJ disco, yacht rock, new wave and Josh Karmin spins hard house beats 4–9pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Quinces, and DJ Craig Dominic in the more, with DJ Dwayne Minard and all night. 10pm. Fly, 8 Gloucester No cover. blackeagletoronto.com Zone. 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 guests. 10pm. WAYLA Bar, 996 St. No cover before midnight. History, Glamour, Magic launch Church St. $5. crewsandtangos.com Queen St E. No cover. waylabar.com fl ynightclub.com Celebrate the long-anticipated Go Deep Deep house music all The Dirty Hustle DJ Blackcat spins Sissyboy Hissyfi t DJ Orange launch of the new (and gorgeous) night long with the Mighty Real DJs, old- and nu-school hip hop and Pekoe on decks, with a midnight art book Will Munro: History, CLUB SCENE John Caff ery and The Robotic Kid. R&B every Thursday night. 10pm. performance by Humboldt J Glamour, Magic. Linger to the beats 10pm. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. The Steady Café and Bar, 1051 Bloor Magnussen. 11pm. The Beaver, 1192 of Munro’s various playlists. Special $5. waylabar.com St W. No cover. facebook.com/ Queen St W. $5. beavertoronto.com appearances by guest DJs. 7–11pm. Uncle Dickie’s Kerne and Angus thesteadycafebar The Gladstone Hotel ballroom, host the deep and tech house, Naked Night Take it all off with Sun, Nov 24 1214 Queen St W. No cover. theagyuisoutthere.org techno and disco event, with DJ a diverse crowd of men getting to Underbear DJ Knight Muzik spins Feryl and guest on decks. 10pm. know each other au naturel. 10pm. vocal house and retro for the Miss El Convento Rico Pageant Black Eagle, 457 Church St. $5. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. No underwear party and fundraiser for DJ Kno on decks for the drag queen blackeagletoronto.com cover. blackeagletoronto.com the Toronto competition. 8pm. El Convento Rico, El Convento Rico Saturday People 750 College St W. elconventorico.com Dancing and drag show, with Charo Fri, Nov 22 with AIDS Batista, and DJ Danny Casto on Crews & Tangos Friday Fierce Mon, Nov 25 decks. 10pm. El Convento Rico, 750 and Flawless, with Heroine Marks, WAYLA ’90s Trivia Night Kaleb College St W. $5. elconventorico.com Ivory Towers and Katherine Dior, Robertson and (sometimes) Miss Fly Saturday DJs Quinces at 8:30pm; Indigo Vibes in Tangos, Fluff y Souffl é test the audience’s and William Bhall throw down with DJ Roxanne, and Club Lite ’90s knowledge, covering such house and tech beats. Hosted by Fridays in the Zone, with DJ topics as television, music and Felipe Caputo. 10pm–5am. Fly, Relentless, both at 10pm; dance moves. 7pm. WAYLA 8 Gloucester St. No cover before Bitchapalooza, with Bar, 996 Queen St E. No cover. midnight. fl ynightclub.com Daytona Bitch and special waylabar.com guest, at 11:30pm. Crews Sun, Nov 17 & Tangos, 508 Church Tues, Nov 26 St. crewsandtangos. Sapphic Aquatica: Nookie Woody’s Sunday Hollywoody com Broadway Show, with Miss in November DJ Dollface Regretro: The Conception, at 6pm; Old School, spins for women and trans Mustache Party with Georgie Girl, Michelle Ross people frolicking in the upscale DJs Ace of Case, and Amanda Roberts, at 9pm; Five sex club. Sorry, no cis men Wei Back and Party Smokin Hot Divas, with Georgie please. 8pm–2am. Oasis McFly spin classic Girl, Devine Darlin, Brooke Lynn Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. retro hits. 10pm. Hytes, Teran Blake and Saphire, $20. oasisaqualounge.com Henhouse, 1532 plus DJ Blue Peter on decks, at 11pm. T-Girl Strippers DJ Todd Klinck Dundas St W. No Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. spins at the evening of spontaneous cover. henhousetoronto. woodystoronto.com T-girl pole shows and private VIP com Karaoke Hosted by Chris and dances. 8pm–2am. Club120, 120 Pop Friday DJ Sumation spins top Amanda Jean. 10pm. O’Grady’s, 518 Church St. No cover, $10 fee for all- 40 and dance faves on the main Church St. No cover. ogradyschurch.ca night access to VIP booths. club120.ca fl oor. Live streaming on outtv.ca. 10pm. Fly, 8 Gloucester St. No Wed, Nov 27 Mon, Nov 18 cover before midnight, $4 after. Crews & Tangos Wednesday Singular Sensation Open Mic fl ynightclub.com Soul Sistas, with Michelle Ross Go Hard — Club120, Sat, Nov 23 CHRISTOPHER CUSHMAN Amateur crooners bring their favourite showtunes and perform Sat, Nov 23 and Jada Hudson, at 9pm; with a live band every Monday Foreplay, with Farra N Hyte and Woody’s Saturday The Toronto Sigourney Beaver on decks. night. Hosted by Jennifer Walls. special guest, at 11:30pm. Crews & Thurs, Nov 14 Historical Bowling Society’s annual Contestants Fay Slift, ManChyna, 10pm–1am. Statlers, 487 Church St. Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. Christmas party and show, at Ladyplus Party DJ Todd Klinck is Axel Blows and more compete in No cover. crewsandtangos.com 3pm. Squirt.org Best Men’s Ass on decks for an evening of meeting beachwear, formal wear and talent Woody’s Got Talent Season two Contest, with Jada Hudson, DJ Chris and socializing with T-girls, friends segments for cash prizes and the brings more amateur acts to the Tues, Nov 19 Steinbach and $300 in cash prizes, and admirers. Complete with honour of presiding over the ribbon- stage. 10pm. Woody’s, 467 Church Crews & Tangos Tuesday TICOT at midnight. Woody’s, 467 Church spontaneous go-go shows and cutting ceremony at the 2014 Inside St. No cover. woodystoronto.com Toonie Tuesdays at 9pm; DJ Quinces St. No cover. woodystoronto.com private VIP dances. 8pm–2am. Out Film Festival. 10pm–2:30am. spins in Tangos at 10pm; Industry Club120, 120 Church St, 2nd fl oor. $5 Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. Cherry Bomb DJs Denise Benson Night, with Brooke Lynn Hytes and before 11pm, $10 after. club120.ca $10. gladstonehotel.com and Cozmic Cat on decks for queer Submit your event listing Vitality Black, at 11:30pm. Crews & women and friends. 9pm–3am. Pup Night Argo hosts the monthly Bear Night Hosted by Jimmy, Gus to [email protected]. Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. Andy Poolhall, 489 College St. night for pups, handlers and friends and Jason on the upper patio every Deadline for the Nov 14 crewsandtangos.com No cover before 10pm, $7 after. who are into the kinky play. Novices Friday. 10pm. O’Grady’s, 518 Church issue is Wed, Nov 6. Varsity Tuesday Sofonda Cox facebook.com/cherrybombtoronto and experienced players welcome. St. No cover. ogradyschurch.ca Limited gear available to borrow. hosts the amateur So You Think You Black Cat Ball Worn fashion Barbershop DJ Michael K spins 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Can Strip? competition, with a $100 journal launches Issue 17 with a Motown, R&B and soul at the new No cover. blackeagletoronto.com cash prize. 11pm. Remington’s, 379 feline-themed event. Black and Cassandra west-end event. 10pm. Henhouse, Yonge St. $5; no cover with student ID white dress encouraged. 9pm–2am. Moore Toronto Drag Kings Tyler Uptight, 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. before 11pm, $2 after. remingtons.com Dovercourt House, 805 Dovercourt hosts the Cameron, Kenny and Chase henhousetoronto.com Best Chest Manning perform in the weekly drag Rd. $10 advance, $15 gets a discount DFMO DJs John Caff ery and The Contest — king show. Every Wednesday, 11pm Wed, Nov 20 code for Hailo taxi, $20 gets a Robotic Kid spin house and bouncy Woody's, –2am. Zipperz/Cellblock, 72 Carlton Toronto Wranglers and Drag discount code for Hailo taxi and a dance beats for extreme dancefl oor Thurs, Nov 14 St. No cover. facebook.com/zipperz Kings Square dance with the cat-ear headband. wornjournal.com making out. 10:30pm–2:30am. NEIL SILVERMAN cowboys, 7–10pm, followed by the Go Hard: Glamity Awards DJs NO COVER! Smirnoff Best Chest Contest Buddies, 12 Alexander St. $5. Toronto Drag Kings at 11pm. Zipperz/ Blackcat and Pleasure spin reggae, Brooke Lynn Hytes and Cassandra buddiesinbadtimes.com Cellblock, 72 Carlton St. No cover. soca, hip hop and R&B for the perform and host the sexy pecs facebook.com/zipperz Bashment music/video party, with competition, with DJ Mark Falco $14 DAY Sat, Nov 16 the audience voting for hottest on decks and $300 in cash prizes. Fit Farewell Jacob party and sexy Thurs, Nov 21 dancehall crew, soca dancer, male Midnight. Woody’s, 467 Church St. sports-gear sale. $10 jockstraps Retro Night Dancers and bar staff and female fashionista, dancehall $17 NIGHT No cover. woodystoronto.com all night, with DJs Phil V and Kris gear up in retro threads, and patrons queen, hair aff air and sexy tattoo. Steeves on the decks. Sale 8–11pm, in ’70s, ’80s and ’90s style have a 10pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $15, BIG JUGS Fri, Nov 15 with proceeds going to the Will chance to win a prize. 5pm–2am. $10 with fl yer before midnight. Toronto Bent Beauty Supreme Munro Fund; party at 10pm. The Remington’s, 379 Yonge St. club120.ca 465-467 CHURCH ST. Keith Cole hosts a busted beauty Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. $5. remingtons.com 416-972-0887 pageant, with DJs Joe Blow and beavertoronto.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 29 1

ROLYN CHAMBERS PHOTOS BY DEEP DISH TONY FONG Operanation Hell’s Night: THURS, OCT 24 @ THE Sharon Needles FOUR SEASONS CENTRE WED, OCT 30 @ THE PHOENIX Some say the average person’s CONCERT THEATRE attention span has been reduced Some say the average gay person’s dramatically over the last century. attention span has been reduced 2 3 Apparently, we are engaged for dramatically over the last few fi ve minutes, tops. Maybe this months. Apparently, we are en- explains the rise of video blog- gaged for fi ve months, tops. When ging and, perhaps, why the New Sharon Needles was here just a York City Opera is now bankrupt. few months ago, she packed the Once bulging with a $55 million house. Now she headlines the endowment, its list of benefactors Phoenix just before Halloween, is shrinking. Tonight, however, and the hallowed hall is not even at the Four Seasons Centre, the half full. Tragic. Not for us (includ- still rather new and stately home ing Miss Conception, Quanah of the Canadian Opera Com- Style, Judy Virago and others), pany, our attention is captured but for those who miss out on an and money seems to be fl owing. incredible performance. Aside As does the wine, the gin, the from her constant want of more vodka and whatever we can pour coke, her show is witty, her songs down our throats at the sold out smart and her voice great. “Drag Operanation: A Night of Tempta- queens are not role models,” she tion fundraiser, which funnels says, tossing a half-fi nished can much-needed cash to the COC of Pabst Blue Ribbon into the 4 5 6 Ensemble Studio, Canada’s pre- crowd. “We’re supermodels.” She mier training program for young points to one man, sans costume, opera professionals. Making a and entices him with faux compli- 8 glam entrance are Brendan Can- ments. “You’re interesting. Come ning; Jeremy Laing; the decadent here. Who are you? What are you Dixon brothers, David and Glenn; dressed as?” “Myself,” he beams. and the always standout Suzanne “The scariest costume of all,” Rogers, who tonight appears to Needles replies, with cunty swish. have one too many weaves on His smile fades, but it gets me to her head. But no one can out- thinking. Being yourself, to many, entrance model Stacey McKenzie, is the scariest drag of all. Here who slithers in draped in a fl oor- Needles stands, above her admir- length fur and promptly proceeds ers, not only in drag, but in clown to the make-your-own-mac-and- drag (her big red nose most likely cheese station. “Nothing gets me packed with powder). She is pro- like cheese,” she says, munching, tected somewhat from reality; not as cameras click, people point and just by her rubber Ronald McDon- crowds part. After the Sam Rob- ald dress and pancake makeup, but 7 erts Band performs and the COC’s also by the persona she projects.

Ambur Braid brings down the roof But then she becomes real, talking 10 (and crashes the glass walls — girl with us about her partner of four was on fi re!), we sneak inside the years, her co-star for the night, royal box (always reserved for Alaska Thunderfuck. Topping her the British royal family, should amazing crowd-surfi ng from the they visit) to pose with a life-sized bar to the stage, her song “I Wish cutout of Will and Kate. Perhaps I Were Amanda Lepore” brings the Prince George will grow up to be a room to its knees. Though Miss fi ve-minute tenor. Perhaps. Amanda, who makes a brief ap- 1E Glenn Dixon & Suzanne Rogers pearance onstage, does very little 2E Matt & Steve 3E Michael & Al but sway back and forth in a dress 4E Francis 5E Jermaine, Tristan & with straps to keep all that silicone Michael from slipping, it’s a hauntingly beautiful ode. And it’s less than fi ve minutes long. Done. 6E Venus & Tobias Funke 7E Quanah Style & Travis For Anna Pournikova's 8E Brendan & Kevin 9E Judy Virago Xposed column, 10E Surfi ng Sharon Needles 9 visit dailyxtra.com.

30 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Robert G Coates Painting Xtra (Ottawa) Hair of the Dog 416-925-6490 CM Painting & 613-986-8292 416-964-2708 E indexdirectory.ca Timothy E. Leahy - Decorating Radio Stations I Went to Philly Forefront Migration Ltd. 647-588-1774 - - Proud FM 416 927 9090 416-226-9889 Newbright Painting 416-213-1035 The Blake House 416-985-8639 Legal Services Real Estate 416-975-1867 Craig Penney, Pet Care Great Gulf Homes The Churchmouse Toronto Criminal Tailspin Dog Spa – Yonge + Rich & Firkin Defence Lawyer - - 416-920-7387 416-499-8883 416 927 1735 416-410-2266 Pet Stores Nicholas Bohr RE/ Sex Lighting & Supplies MAX Hallmark Realty Squirt.org Living Lighting on King Helmutt’s Pet Supply Ltd, Brokerage squirt.org - - 416 364 9099 416-504-1265 str8up.ca Sex Shops Philip Kocev – Sales Massage – Pharmacies Bed Time Toys Certified/ Representative THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN TORONTO bedtimetoys.ca Registered Pace Pharmacy & 416-364-2036 Compounding Experts Condom Shack gesund RE/MAX Baywatch 416-515-7223 - - 416-913-5170 Ltd, Brokerage 416 596 7515 Accountants Community Dr Iudita Costache– Insurance The Village Pharmacy - - Japanese Male RMT 705 756 7629 Shipping Groups & Services Galleria Dental 416-967-9221 Ms Hema Murdock, CA Kenton Waterman 416-804-9248 416-534-9991 Theresa Forget, Sales The UPS Store 416-696-6653 Enterprise Toronto Investors Group Zaillan Pharmacy The Power of Touch Representative, RE/ 473 Church St 416-392-6646 Dr Kevin Russelo Financial Services 416-216-6999 Susan Calverley, - - MAX First Realty, 416-966-3008 Parents, Families & & Associates 416-860-1668 647 330 ALEX(2539) MBA, MSc, CMA Printing Brokerage 112 Elizabeth St, Ste 5 Friends of Lesbians and 416-966-0117 Internet Meats & 905-686-3800 416-971-5001 416-605-1553 Gays (Toronto PFLAG) Delicatessens The UPS Store Galleria Dental, Distributel Canada 473 Church St Real Estate Agents Yoannou & Associates, 416-406-6378 (Support Tax Services Dr Iudita Costache 1-877-700-7854 St Jamestown - - Chartered Accountants Line) 416 966 3008 Gaelen Patrick – CJH Tax Services 416-534-9991 Steak & Chops 112 Elizabeth St, Ste 5 416-487-3273 x24 Computer Sales Investment 416-925-7665 Sutton Group Realty 647-270-8057 Dog & Cat Services 416-971-5001 Systems Inc Accessories — Men & Service Yoannou & Associates, Grooming Men’s Accessories Psychotherapy 416-801-9265 Contemporary Kenton Waterman Chartered Accountants MensMarket.com Tailspin Dog Spa MensMarket.com Computers Investors Group Bruce M Small, MSc, Roy Runions, Sales 416-487-3273 x24 mensmarket.com 416-920-7387 mensmarket.com Representative, RE/ 877-724-9000 Financial Services Psychotherapist Telecomm- Adult Entertainment 416-860-1668 Mortgages 416-598-4888 MAX Hallmark Realty Concierge Services Ltd, Brokerage unications Stag Shop – The The Reading Salon Jewellery Investors Group Coming into Life royrunions.com Acanac Adult Fun Store As You Wish Concierge & Jewellers thereadingsalon.ca Financial Services 416-391-4986 x2 416-849-8530 416-323-0772 647-208-2884 Renovations The Fair Trade –Kenton Waterman depth therapy Fashion - - & Restorations Theatre AIDS/HIV Concrete – Jewellery Company 416 860 1668 416-694-0015 x225 Contractors Take a Walk on Resources 647-430-8741 Linda Rudolph at Bryant Renovations Buddies in Bad the Wild Side™ Nick Mulé, PhD, RSW, 416-260-0818 Times Theatre Gay Men’s Sexual G J MacRae Juice Bars The Mortgage Centre 416-921-6112 Psychotherapist 416-975-8555 Health Alliance Foundation Repair 416-282-1677 Newbright Construction Juice Box 416-926-9135 Service–Since 1975 Florists 416-985-8639 Veterinarians 1-800-686-7544 905-824-2557 416-924-4671 Moving & Storage Psychotherapy - Astra Florists Agility Moving Depth Therapy Restaurants Blue Cross Alternative Health Concrete – astrafl orists.com Lawyers & Storage Ltd & Cafés Animal Hospital My Canna-Meds Contractors Davis Floral Creations Harvey L Hamburg Matthew Kelly, M.A. 416-469-1121 416-654-5029 Psychotherapist C’est What? Brew/ mycm.ca G J MacRae davisfl oral 416-968-9054 Depth Therapy Vin Pub Restaurant Waterproofing Foundation Repair creations.com Avery Moving & Storage Automotive Ivan Steele Law Offi ce - - 416-867-9499 Sales & Leasing Service–Since 1975 416-239-9565 416 694 0015 x225 G J MacRae Foundation 647-342-0568 Cora Breakfast & Lunch 905-824-2557 Marsh Movers Publications Foundation Repair Ken Shaw Lexus Repairs 27 Carlton St Law Offi ce of El- 416-823-7512 Service–Since 1975 415-766-0055 Construction G J MacRae Farouk Khaki Pink Triangle Press 416-340-1350 905-824-2557 - - Bars & Clubs G J MacRae Foundation Repair 416-925-7227 Naturopathy 416 925 6665 277 Wellington St pinktrianglepress.ca 416-598-2672 Websites (Toronto) Foundation Repair Service – Since 1975 Paul T Willis – gesund Service – Since 1975 905-824-2557 Squirt.org Fly Nightclub Barrister & Solicitor, 416-913-5170 Xtra (Toronto) Fire on the East Side 905-824-2557 - - squirt.org 416-410-5426 Furniture – Leather Notary Public 416 925 6665 416-960-3473 416-926-980 dailyxtra.com Newbright Construction Wilson Furniture Xtra (Vancouver) Business & - - 416-925-6665 Professional 416 985 8639 1-800-323-6705 604-684-9696 Organizations Contracting Gardening Church Wellesley & Renovations Davenport Village Business G J MacRae Garden Centre Improvement Area Foundation Repair - - 416 929 7222 THE BEST OF 416-393-6363 Service – Since 1975 DEC 2013–MAY 2014 GAY & LESBIAN 905-824-2557 Hair Stylists TORONT O Butchers & Barbers Cosmetics St Jamestown Ragga Hair and Steak & Chops Rosense Beauty Salon King Street - - - - treasures 416 925 7665 416 216 6999 416-368-8113 Cabbagetown Campgrounds Counselling Health Foods gets Spruced up Jones Pond Change4U2 & Nutrition Roncesvalles renaissance Campground 416-827-7578 The Big Carrot 585-567-8100 Suit up David Moulton, MEd, 416-466-2129 for winter Cheese Shops Canadian Certifi ed Home THE BEST OF GAY at MEC Counsellor Leslieville Cheese Improvement Market davidmoulton.ca & Repairs & LESBIAN TORONTO 416-465-7143 David W Routledge Bryant Renovations Chiropractors (MSW, RSW), 416-260-0818 Psychotherapist gesund 416-944-1291 G J MacRae 416-913-5170 Foundation Repair Phillip Coupal Service –Since 1975 Get your Churches Counselling 905-824-2557 416-557-7312 Metropolitan Lewco Chandelier Community Church Dental Services 416-439-4999 of Toronto copy in this 416-406-6228 Adelaide Dental Newbright Construction 416-429-0150 416-985-8639 Coffee Shops Broadview Dental Clinic TORONTO’S GAY& LESBIAN Fuel+ 416-466-6400 issue of Xtra! NEWS 647-352-8807 01_XLT2013-2_Cover-Stacaro.indd 1

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 31 A world of gay adventure Travel

Edible Key West Exploring the Conch Republic one bite at a time

STORY & PHOTOS Tour, which stops at a number of local BY LESLEY FRASER restaurants; the Master Chef’s Classic culinary tasting and competition; and As the days get shorter and the tempera- the wonderful shrimp boil (where you’ll ture drops, Canadians start to daydream gorge on the famous Key West pinks) at about sunny, southern getaways. the Hogfi sh Bar & Grill, located one is- Gay and lesbian foodies should con- land over at the decidedly down-market sider an old standby: Key West. Like Stock Island shrimp docks. Various Provincetown in the northeast, the con- seminars are still being scheduled, but tinental United States’ southernmost if chef Martin Liz’s Conch cooking class city was geographically isolated until is off ered, go. well into the 20th century and also be- Key West has a number of high-end came a haven for artists and homos. But food spots — Latitudes, in the Westin even if it looks a bit like New England, Resort on Sunset Key, is a standout its lush vegetation, riotous colour and (their poached lobster on polenta was Spanish feel make it more Caribbean voted best main at last year’s Master than Floridian. And as the Conchs, as Chef’s competition) — but some of the locals are known, like to say, “the its best are very casual. Blue Heaven Puritans never made it this far south.” is famous for its breakfast but also its Maybe that’s why the food’s better. key-lime pie, so plan more than one If you like your travel themed, con- visit if you’re not the sort who eats pie sider one of the many festivals and in the morning. The shaded patio at the events that fill the calendar, from beautiful Azur restaurant makes for a the bacchanalian Fantasy Fest to the relaxing start to the day. Be sure to stop Hemingway Days Festival to the annual for Cuban coff ee at the 5 Brothers sand- fi shing tournament. Sadly, the short- wich shop. Their Cuban mix sandwich is lived ChickenFest (which celebrated also top-notch, as is El Siboney’s, which the town’s ubiquitous free-roaming off ers a range of authentic Cuban food poultry) is no more, but food tourists in a sit-down environment. Western Union’s cruises, top, sail on one of the oldest working wooden schooners have other options. Pepe’s Cafe, established in 1909, is in the US. Above, participants at Chef Martin Liz’s Conch cooking seminar, off ered at last year’s Food and Wine Festival, learned how to roast a whole pig. Hogfi sh A highlight is the fi ve-year-old Food the oldest restaurant in the Keys, and Bar & Grill, right, is located on gritty Stock Island, next to the shrimp docks. and Wine Festival, which this year its low-key patio is the perfect spot for kicks off with a beach party on Jan 22 an afternoon refresher. The Half Shell renowned for its Caribbean fare, raining or they went to the beach or and runs through the 26th (if you’re re- Raw Bar, at the Historic Seaport, has particularly the fire-roasted corn. their fi sh suppliers didn’t deliver. Run ally keen, you could start the weekend 50-cent oysters at happy hour. East Italian-infl uenced Salute, sister resto by Eli and Kenna Pancamo, it’s the before, at the Key Largo and Islamo- Coasters craving the accents of home to Blue Heaven, is right on Higgs Beach only food truck in town; word is that rada Food & Wine Festival). Must- should brave the cruise-ship crowds and a great place to drop in after a the loophole they came in through has dos include the Let Them Eat Cake on lower Duval and stop for fritters at swim. Abbondanza is an old-fashioned been closed and they’ll soon move into masquerade party at the Green Pine- the Conch Shack, run by transplanted Italian-American joint (think eggplant a bricks-and-mortar location, so get apple boutique; the mile-long Duval Newfoundlander Matt McKnight; it’s parm, shrimp scampi, pasta puttan- there while you can, just in case any of Uncorked, a drinking and eating tour always open except during the Super esca) with huge portions. the magic is lost. The shrimp and mahi- of the famous strip’s restaurants, shops Bowl and hurricanes. A visit to Garbo’s Grill is a must, pro- mahi tacos are fantastic. and galleries; the Key West Kitchen For lunch or dinner, Paseo’s is vided they’re not closed because it’s If your sweet tooth calls, stop in at

32 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Getting around Key West is easily navigated by foot or on two wheels, so if you arrived by car, park it and leave it and consider renting a bike: there are no hills, traffi c moves slowly, drivers are respectful, parking is free, and with all the booze and food you’ll be taking in, you’ll want to burn off some calories. There are lots of shops to rent from (most off er bikes and mo- peds), and many will drop off at and pick up from hotels. Moped Hospital’s one-speed cruisers aren’t fancy, but the big baskets up front are handy and their rates are among the lowest in town. A trolley tour is a great way to get an overview of Key West’s geography and history. The Conch Tour Train, which of- fers a 90-minute narrated tour, has been in operation since 1958. Old Town Trolley and City View tours let passengers get on and off at various points, and every Saturday at 4pm, the slightly cheesy gay and lesbian trolley tour, operated by the chamber of commerce, takes a 70-minute spin through the town’s queer points of interest. Where to stay PEARL’S This charming guesthouse used to be women-only and is now “all-welcoming,” but it’s still very female-centric. Located near the quiet end of Duval Street, its buildings include a former cigar factory and the attached workers’ cottages. The patio bar is a popular spot for an afternoon drink. ISLAND HOUSE I can speak only from hearsay, since this all-male, clothing- optional resort has a strict no-women policy. Word is that things get fun around the pool in the afternoon. And the rooms sound fi ne, too. ALEXANDER’S This lovely 17-room gay-owned guesthouse has tasteful and simple décor, clothing-optional decks, delicious breakfasts and a congenial happy hour peopled by its many return guests. THE GARDENS HOTEL If money’s no object, this is your spot. At one time the largest private estate in town, it was named “the prettiest hotel in Key West” by The New York Times. Even if you can’t aff ord to check in, check out the Sunday- night jazz in the stunning garden.

Top, the Garbo’s Grill food truck is a must-visit. Above, the shrimp boil at Hogfish What to read Bar & Grill is a highlight of the annual Food and Wine Festival. KEY WEST ON THE EDGE: INVENT- Key West Cakes for delicious cup- it, or plopped on a beach chair beside ING THE CONCH REPUBLIC Robert cakes and baked goods or for a slice of it. And it’s chock full of fun spots to Kerstein’s fascinating, scholarly yet key lime pie at any number of places; explore: whether historical, cultural, accessible book examines how this un- you’ll find four of the big purveyors architectural, horticultural or just likely city became a tourist mecca. along Greene Street — look for the plain sexual. Whatever your tastes, THE FLORIDA KEYS: A HISTORY & green-and-white-clad baker outside you’ll fi nd plenty to gorge on in this GUIDE Acclaimed novelist Joy Williams’s Kermit’s, at the corner of Elizabeth, charming and fascinating town. anti-guide is one of the most candid and unlikely travel books ever written — it and take it from there. If you’d like to never shies away from the dark side of try your hand at making your own, pick For more Key West adventures, Florida tourism while displaying the up a copy of David Sloan’s defi nitive Key visit dailyxtratravel.com. author’s passion for the region. Lime Pie Cookbook at the wonderful QUIT YOUR JOB AND MOVE TO KEY Restaurant Store, a cook’s paradise. WEST: THE COMPLETE GUIDE Part Of course, Key West isn’t all about On the web guidebook, part self-help, part practical eating and drinking. It’s surrounded fl a-keys.com how-to, lots of silliness, from Christo- by the ocean, after all, so you’ll want gaykeywestfl .com pher Shultz and David Sloan, who write to spend some time in the water, on keywestfoodandwinefestival.com from experience.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 33 A world of gay adventure Travel

TOURISME MONTREAL, FRÉDÉRIQUE MÉNARD-AUBIN TOURISME MONTREAL, MIGUEL LEGAULT Montreal snow job The city famous for its hot summer nightlife also provides a brilliant winter escape

MATTHEW HAYS Beat Nation: Art, Hip Hop and Aborigi- fontaine, a delightfully picturesque park nal Culture (which runs until Jan 5, that lies just north of the Village. And on When people hear the word “Montreal,” 2014), is getting rave reviews. a mild, clear day, a walk up Mount Royal they tend to think of gorgeous, hot Essential to any stay in Montreal is Park is just fantastic and offers a beauti- nights and raunchy sex in back alleys. a visit to the Biodome, an eco-museum ful view of the city. The lookout features Well, I know some of you do, anyway. where visitors can sample various cli- a panoramic view, and hot chocolate is But given its European architecture, mates and the plants and animals that served in the colder months. vibrant cultural institutions and beauti- inhabit them. Since its opening in 1992, The Highlights Festival (or Festival ful parks, Montreal is a city that’s well the Biodome has seen millions check Montréal en Lumière, is a celebration TOURISME MONTREAL, STÉPHAN POULIN Clockwise from top left: Montréal en Lumière is a dazzling showcase of worth checking out in winter. out vast rooms that recreate faraway of light in the winter, to be held this performing arts and gastronomy; Igloofest guarantees one of the hottest nights Cold weather makes for a great excuse climes, including “tropical rainforest,” year Feb 20 to March 2. It’s based in of winter; Mount Royal Park has sleigh rides and one of the best views of the city. to spend time indoors, in particular at “Laurentian maple forest,” “Labrador scenic Old Montreal and the downtown several of Montreal’s beautiful muse- coast” and “Gulf of St Lawrence.” The arts district and features food, film concerts were held from 1924 to 1996, bunch of layers, you will undoubtedly ums. The Montreal Museum of Fine people behind the Biodome also run the screenings, music and dance perfor- when the complex was transformed into want to take off some clothes at the Arts has a vast permanent collection Botanical Gardens — which features all mances, and art exhibits. an entertainment centre, featuring a end of the day — and you might want but also features strong rotating exhibits sorts of rare, exotic plants — and the The newest event is Igloofest, which 22-screen cinema complex, restaurants, to watch others take off their clothes, year-round. The museum itself is an Insectarium, a museum of unusual bugs. will run Jan 16 to Feb 8. When it started pool tables and bowling alleys. There too. The top strip clubs in Montreal architectural wonder; the old building Another fun museum is the Montreal seven years ago, it proved an instant hit, are statues of famous hockey players to include the jock-centric Campus, the sits on the north side of Sherbrooke Science Centre, in Old Montreal, which with thousands of fans dancing in the commemorate the centre’s origins. You raunch-infused Stock Bar, and the Street, and the new progressive bit of features year-round exhibits on various snowy Old Port to the beat and hum of can grope them if you’re feeling really borderline-NAMBLA headquarters architecture sits on the south. The gift topics and includes an IMAX theatre electronic music. What is basically a hard up. Taboo. And then there are the one-of- shop is one of the best in the city and the that screens educational films. wintry outdoor rave continues to grow Okay, I know who I’m writing for. a-kind Montreal queer institutions: second-floor restaurant is divine. The Wintry fun can be found at the Parc in popularity. I realize many of you may be rolling Cabaret Mado, run by the city’s legend- Canadian Centre for Architecture has Jean-Drapeau, where every year a mas- Montreal, home of the legendary Ca- your eyes at this point and thinking, ary drag queen Mado (and featuring one of the largest collections of prints, sive snow village is created. There is a nadiens, is a hub for our national sport “Enough with the culture! Who do you nightly drag shows), and the Royal drawings, photographs and models re- 25-room hotel made entirely of ice and of hockey. Jock enthusiasts will want think you are, Peggy Guggenheim?” So Phoenix, the city’s sole out-of-Village lating to architecture in the world. The a restaurant that seats 100, but kitsch to check out the Montreal Canadiens I’ll end with a reminder that Montreal’s queer nightclub, located in the hipster building itself is worth a tour and the enthusiasts will really get a kick out of Hall of Fame, where the history of the nightlife remains intact, even in winter. Mile End neighbourhood. bookshop is unbeatable. The Montreal the snow-and-ice replica of New York team, founded in 1909, and Montrealers’ Get off at Metro Berri-UQAM, then Museum of Contemporary Art focuses City. For those who are travelling with longstanding love for it, is recounted head east. There are a bunch of drink- On the web: on the works of Quebec artists but also children, there are train rides and snow- in a number of exhibits. Another bit of ing holes and clubs to check out, all in museesmontreal.org boasts an intriguing number of works by sculpture workshops specifically for hockey history can be found in the Mon- close proximity. montreal.com/tourism/festivals Canadian artists. The current exhibit, kids. There is ice skating at the Parc La- treal Forum, where hockey games and As well, after walking around in a tourisme-montreal.org

34 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS MY The Norwegian Breakaway will feature Up on Montreal a screening of After Stonewall. NCL the roof From favourite events to hidden gems off the beaten path, My Montreal gets the inside scoop from local residents about what not to miss when visiting the city. In this installment we asked actor/performer/ genderbender Antonio Bavaro to name a favourite haunt. “My answer to what to look out for in Montreal may sound FILM FEST CRUISES unconventional, but it’s roof- tops — all and any of them! They are the best places to Two upcoming Pride of the taken place since Stonewall in A sampler weekend cruise, see Mount Royal, some of the Ocean cruises, billed as the politics, history, religion and A Taste of Pride of the Ocean, world’s best graffi ti art, multi- only “fl oating fi lm festi- America’s “second religion” — will sail in January 2014. It de- tudes of bronzed church spires val,” will commemorate the sports. Confi rmed is a screen- parts from Miami for Nassau looming over quickly gentrify- 45th anniversary of Stonewall ing of After Stonewall, which on Jan 31, returning to Miami ing neighbourhoods, and to and National Coming Out Day. fi rst aired nationally on PBS on Feb 3. watch your neighbours getting In June 2014, a Pride of the for the 30th anniversary of Organizers say that since dirty in the condo next door Ocean cruise will mark the Stonewall. the ship is heading for the Ba- while having some brewskies June 1969 Stonewall rebellion In October 2014, a Pride of hamas, the cruise will feature with your buds. A bit of privacy — and the company’s fi fth an- the Ocean cruise will set sail a screening of Bahamian fi lm and uplifting perspective in an niversary. The new Norwegian from Honolulu on National director Kareem Mortimer’s oft-busy yet beautiful city!” Breakaway will set sail June Coming Out Day, Oct 11. The fi lm Children of God. Check out other 1 from New York City for a seven-day Hawaiian Islands recommendations Montreal’s rooftops offer seven-day cruise to Bermuda. cruise aboard Norwegian’s For more information or to in the My Montreal series spectacular views of the city. Featured fi lms will refl ect Pride of America will focus on register for these cruises, visit STÉPHAN POULIN, TOURISM MONTREAL on dailyxtratravel.com. the many changes that have Asian/Pacifi c LGBT fi lms. prideoftheocean.com.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 35 NEXT BOOKING DEADLINE: WED, NOV 20 @ 1PM To place an ad, call 416-925-6665 x0 or book your line classifi ed at Classifieds classifi [email protected]

ANNOUNCEMENTS HEALTH & FITNESS EMPLOYMENT

<

>GROUPS REGISTERED MASSAGE HELP WANTED RESPONSIBLE BRENT ROUSSEAU RMT HARDWORKING PROFES- For treatment of muscle in- SIONAL wanted for part-time juries, pain and stress man- work with growing cleaning Married, Separated or agement, and enhancement of Japanese boutique. No experience re- physical health and well being. quired except maturity, Day, evening, and weekend Male RMT 416-804-9248 enthusiasm and attention to appts. available. Insurance detail. Email: Divorced Gay Father? coverage, Visa accepted, free [email protected] parking, 416-708-3996. Broadview/Danforth. Deep tissue to ADULT We’re here to support you brentrousseau.com relaxation massage by on your journey. a professionally trained MODEL FOR CASH Cute guys RMT (Japanese Male). (age 18-25) needed for adult Our meetings are informal, Covered by extended website. SOLO J/O SCENES health plans for PAY $600 CASH! Visit image- FRQÀGHQWLDODQGKHOSIXO 73% massage treatment. scout.com for more info.” Gay Fathers meet the second of Xtra Sanji Masunaga Wellesley + Jarvis area PERSONAL and fourth Thursday of every readers have [email protected] month at 8pm purchased EROTIC MASSAGE NEW YOU MASSAGE & HEALTH RELAXATION at the 519 Church Street CTR. Off ering Swedish Massage, health and MASSAGE CERTIFIED Gay male nudist Physiotherapy, Shiatsu and Massage Buff et wellness Erotic tantric massage for Community Centre. Acupuncture. Joseph Alves RMT, KEVIN SHORTT MASSAGE Massage: traditional, men. Michael O`Brien RMT, products and Yoga Th erapy: sensual, anal/prostate, & Taoist Erotic. intimate bodywork with [email protected] Vince Warcop PT, Angela Lin PT. Breath orgasms. Sex and Life and services outcalls only. Located at 40 Wellesley Street East. stretching. $15 off First Time Coach. Paul Barber Clients! Check out my Book online at within the 647-821-3131 website: www.gayfathers-toronto.com www.newyoumassage.ca canadian bodyworker.com last year. www3.sympatico.ca/kshortt EXPERIENTIAL 416-961-8064 EMBODIED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EROTIC EXPLORATIONS for Men Weekend Touch Explorations COUNSELLING PAINTING HAIR/SKIN & BEAUTY Full-Day Erotic Experiments Afternoon Touch Exchanges DONNA REIST, Ph.D., C.Psych. WWW.GANYMEDE.CA Explore & Experience Registered Psychologist. NO MESS, NO FUSS, JUST SUPERIOR WORKMANSHIP Professional hair removal by Erotic Sensual Touch Counselling & Psychotherapy, Newbright Painting certifi ed specialist. Waxing, Group or Individual Psychoeducational & Di- electrolysis and laser. Sessions agnostic Assessments, Crisis Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior Painting Design & colour consultation Clean, private, l downtown location. Intervention. Yonge & St.Clair ~ Light Reno’s and Repairs Window Cleaning Better Business Bureau drdonnareist.com l l By appointment only. 416-750-9400 Celebrating 13 years in Xtra l References provided on request l Fully insured Call Darcy at 416-979-8801 Sean 416.985.8639 [email protected] NEW THOUGHT THERAPY PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER! [email protected] Personalized Eff ective www.phillipcoupal.ca Conversations. CLEANERS MOVERS Depression, Anxiety, Gender, Sexuality, Life/Executive BE HOME, CONDO & OFFICE MODELS & ESCORTS Coaching CLEANERS Todd Kaufman, MDiv BOLD! call Tomas - 416.878.9527 CHOOSE WISELY 647-230-2068 Bold your email: [email protected] AVAILABLE FOR Genesissquared.com. See our line classified. FULLY BONDED AND INSURED INCALLS/OUTCALLS. ad in this issue of Xtra visit: www.ecoscleaning.com Great with fi rst-timers, fetishes and unusual requests. Great body, DAVID W. ROUTLEDGE SQUEAKY CLEAN boyish good looks, big thick cock. Housework never killed any- 90% Repeat rate. MSW, RSW one... but why take a chance? Satisfaction guaranteed. PSYCHOTHERAPIST Home and condo cleaning Pics at : www.squirt.org/devon80 ...helping you become the person services. Call Mark. #news Devon: 416-208-3531 you have always wanted to be 416-347-3951 Manhattan Moving Services [email protected] [email protected] @mail: [email protected] Toronto's Award Winning Gay Owned Moving Company www.dwroutledge.com (416) 944-1291 #arts downtown location - affordable rates manhattanmovingservice.ca DID MOTIVATE #travel YOU GET ALL THE XTRA 416.259.2181 INCHES YOU WANT! READERS! #events KNOW? Book your ad now! 416-935-6665 x0 Xtra has the Include LEGAL SERVICES highest reader limited-time response when offers, special it comes to ARRESTED? El-Farouk Everything gay, every day. purchasing bonuses and CHARGED? products/ Counselling + Coaching + Bodywork discounts Khaki services as for acting now Barrister & Solicitor a result of Communication — Relationship — Life Skills AGGRESSIVE seeing an Gay Men — Male Couples in your line CRIMINAL Refugee & Immigration Law advertisement DEFENCE $ZDNHQ6WXGLR classified. 5FM

t
'BY
 in our publication. 416-557-7312 — [email protected] 416.410.2266 FMöO!SPHFSTDPN
t
FMGBSPVL@MBX!ZBIPPDB www.phillipcoupal.ca CraigPenney.com BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

36 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PROUDFM.COM DRASKO XTRA HOT BOGDANOVIC

NAME: GRAHAM AUBREY AGE: 31 SIGN: CAPRICORN

Born and raised in Toronto, Graham is a night owl whose guilty pleasure is two-fi sting bourbon. His favourite place in the city is Parkdale because ALL GAY. ALL THE TIME. it “has the best bars, shopping and restaurants,” and on a night out he likes to hang out and support his DJ friends. The craziest thing he has in his room is a metal statue of a mushroom . . . guess what people think that is! Graham’s ideal vacation destination is Australia, and if he could be an animal, he’d be a koala: “They are cute, little and vicious. Much like myself.”

Donate to Graham’s Movember team, Ironstache, from the Flatiron Firkin, where THE BEST OF DEC 2013–MAY 2014 GAY & LESBIAN he’s a server: movember.com/mospace/1567972. TORON TO

To comment on or become an Xtra Hot guy or gal, email Drasko at [email protected]. King Street treasures Cabbagetown gets Spruced up Roncesvalles renaissance Keep things hot while the temperature drops. Suit up Bring a little Stag Shop home. for winter THE BEST OF GAY at MEC & LESBIAN TORONTO StagShop.com Get your copy in

TORONTO 532 Church St this issue of Xtra! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN StagShop.com NEWS 01_XLT2013-2_Cover-Stacaro.indd 1

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 37 LAPTOP Hot ‘n horny hookups. MOBILEOR WE’RE VERSATILE

Free to join Get 5 days unlimited access

38 NOV 14–27, 2013 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! NOV 14–27, 2013 39 Exploring: never stop Single Tablet Regimens While they’re not a cure, these treatment options are designed (one pill, once a day) are a step forward in HIV treatment. to be effective and convenient. If you’ve been exploring different HIV treatments, talk to your doctor about Single Tablet Regimens Explore more at exploreHIV.ca too. It’s good to know what is out there.